Don't overlook
the facts
The fact is—some child may never find Jesus unless
someone introduces him to the Saviour.
The Branch Sabbath School offers the opportunity to
cooperate in this rewarding venture.
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Dear Sabbath School Members:
Church growth in Southern Asia has been extraordinary during the
past decade and a half, with a membership increase of 400%.
Of the new members, over 30% are youth. Obviously, these youth
will one day constitute the "backbone" of the church.
For years our Division has had only one training center (Spicer
Memorial College). Now, with church growth and international
travel restrictions, the need for regional training centers is
imperative. Consequently, it has been voted that this quarter's
Thirteenth Sabbath Offering support the following projects:
- Burma Seminary: additional class-
rocas and staff housing
Bangladesh Seminary and Academy:
administration building
Lowry Memorial and Roorkee Train-
ing Schools: Library facilities
Narsapur Secondary School: Girls'
dormitory
We request you especially to remember Southern Asia in prayer;
secondly, to give liberally, as God has blessed you, that our
youth may be equipped for the future.
Very sincerely yours,
R.
5%
Lo
r, Chairman
Southern Asia Division Advisory Council
Poona
mb
BANGLADESH
BURMA
PAKISTAN
SRI LANKA
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1—A.L. 3-79
YOU EXERCISE YOU
Y.
HOW ABOUT YOUR
FART
You're concerned
about your health. That's
why you've taken up jog-
ging or bicycling, you've 7
dropped a few pounds,
and you watch your diet.
No heart attacks for you!
But how healthy is your
faith? Does it get the
exercise it needs to keep you
in close touch with God?
That's right. Your faith needs
exercise just as much as your
body... maybe more. Because
Christians with flabby faith will
have lots of trouble getting
through the tests true Christians
will have to face as earth's
history draws to a close.
Are you spiritually prepared to
face the time of trouble? Would
you like to be? KEY TO VICTORY,
written by Dr. Fernando Chaij,
points out just what you need to
know and do in order to be spiritually
prepared for the great time of testing
that is before God's people.
Chaij, noted authority on
last-day events and author
of PREPARATION FOR
THE FINAL CRISIS and
THE IMPENDING DRAMA,
wrote KEY TO VICTORY
to accompany the Sabbath
School lessons for the 3rd
quarter.
More than a timeline of last-
day events, KEY TO VICTORY
points out how Christians every-
where can be spiritually ready for
Christ's return ...something
everyone who is waiting for
that event needs to know.
KEY TO VICTORY is available
through your nearest Adventist Book
Center or by mail from the ABC
Mailing Service. Send U.S. $3.50
(or equivalent in local currency) to P.O.
Box 37485, Omaha, Nebraska 61837.
Please include any applicable sales tax
and an additional 7 percent of the
order for shipping and handling
(minimum 500 . In Canada send
your order to ABC Mailing Service,
Box 398, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7L5.
Prices higher in Canada.
SPA
DAYBREAK a
l
l SERIES
Adult Sabbath School Lessons / No. 337 / July-September, 1979
Contris
1.
The Present Condition of the Church
2.
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
3.
The Shaking
4.
Revival and Reformation
5.
Righteousness by Faith
6.
The Sealing
7.
The Holy Spirit
8.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
9.
The Early and the Latter Rains
10.
Conditions for Receiving the Latter Rain
11.
The Finishing of
.
God's Work
12.
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
13.
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department
of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons
is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which
serve as consulting editors.
Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20012
Lesson Author: Fernando Chaij
Editor: W. Richard Lesher
Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore
Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat
Art and Design: Pacific Press
Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this
quarterly are as follows:
NASB. From
New American Standard Bible,
copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1963,
1968, 1971, 1973, 1975. Used by permission.
NEB. From
The New English Bible,
copyright © by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press
and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press, New York City.
NIV. From the
New International Version of the New Testament,
copyright © 1973 by New York
Bible Society International. Used by permission.
Phillips. From
The New Testament in Modern English,
Revised Edition, copyright © 1958, 1959,
1960, 1972, by J.B. Phillips. Used by permission of The Macmillan Company and Collins Pub-
lishers.
RSV. From the
Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1946 (renewed © 1973), 1952, and
1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in
the U.S.A., and used by permission.
Braille lessons available. See page 112.
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific
Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042,
U.S.A. One year subscription in U.S.A., $2.00; single copy, 50 cents. One year sub-
scription to countries outside U.S.A., $2.60; single copy, 65 cents. All prices at U.S.A.
exchange. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A.
When a change of address is desired, please send both old and new addresses.
Copyright 1979 by Pacific Press Publishing Association
We must drink daily from the eternal well of God's
Word.
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons will help the
spiritually thirsty to fill their cup and keep it full.
BE READY!
Introduction
Last quarter, under the general title of "The Last Hour," we reviewed in some detail the
dramatic events that, according to Bible prophecy, are about to take place in our world and
in our church. We saw the tremendous social, political, and religious impact that they are
going to make on society as a whole as well as on the people of God. In fact, some of these
climactic happenings are in process right now, and we are beginning to feel their effects.
The lessons of last quarter emphasized the thought that the greatest crisis ever to confront
the church of God need not bring it desperation or confusion.
On the contrary, God has made provision for every member of His family on earth to be
shielded by the power of heaven. They will be accompanied by Jesus, the angels, and the
Holy Spirit. They will march safely through deception, temptation, and persecution, reaching
at last, by the grace of God, the final victory.
The rapid unfolding of events in the fields of science, politics, economics, morality, and
religion, portrayed daily by press, radio, and television, gives evidence that we are living in
earth's last hours. The sun of grace and mercy is about to set forever; the short night that
precedes the glorious morning will soon commence.
But along with the approaching end comes a responsibility to do the work of preaching
the gospel to all the world. God will give to us an extraordinary measure of divine power to
accomplish this task. This stimulates us to redouble our efforts, multiply our enthusiasm,
and rededicate our talents, to the finishing of the work.
But what if the hour of the end catches us unready? What if the final hour of the world—or
of our own lives—should overtake us as a thief in the night? What if we have not made the
necessary spiritual preparation? Of what value, then, would be the knowledge of what will
happen?
This is why, during this quarter, we plan to study about our personal preparation for the
final crisis. We need to make our readiness sure for this time of crisis.
In these lessons we shall note the message to Laodicea. We shall analyze the counsel of
the True Witness. We consider the shaking of God's people. The revival and reformation
through which God wants to take His church collectively—and every one of us
individually—shall be another important subject of our study, followed by the all-important
promise and entering into the experience of righteousness by faith.
Then we discuss the sealing, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the latter rain. We examine
their importance in finishing God's work. We study the conditions necessary to receive the
showers of the Holy Spirit, and the need for a consecrated witnessing activity. It is our hope
that this will strengthen us spiritually, will make us alive, and will motivate us to spread the
light of God in a fast and miraculous way.
Finally, we consider the specific ways of getting ready for the day of the Lord, giving
attention to the steps we must take in our own life to make our readiness sure.
The Lord longs for us to overcome our I u kewarmness and indifference, and to seek higher
spiritual ground. He wants us to dedicate the necessary time to the study of His Word, and
also to devote time to secret prayer and to the examination of our spiritual needs. He desires
that every one of us may understand practically and experientially what the righteousness of
Christ is. He wants us to claim the mighty work of His grace in conquering sin in our lives. He
would have us make a full surrender and a total commitment. He would have us overcome
our defects of character and reflect in our lives, always more perfectly, the image of Christ.
May these lessons help us to acquire this experience and to be fully prepared to meet our
Lord in peace and joy.
7
a
LESSON 1 July 1-7
The Present
Condition of the
Church
"We are all as an unclean thing, and
all our righteousnesses are as filthy
rags" (Isa. 64:6).
We may consider ourselves very
favored and fortunate to have in the
Word of God a clear message of Christ
directly addressed to the church. In
eight short verses (Rev. 3:14-21) we
find a description of our spiritual
condition and of our deep needs. In
these verses our Saviour graciously
offers the remedies to solve our
spiritual problems. Through Jesus we
can acquire what we need to pass
through the last and worst crisis of
history, to meet our Lord, and to
inherit His eternal kingdom of
happiness and glory.
But we should remember that "the
testimony of the True Witness has not
been half heeded. The solemn
testimony upon which the destiny of
the church hangs has been lightly
esteemed, if not entirely
disregarded."—Early
Writings,
p. 270.
Further, the way in which each of us
either accepts or rejects the message
will be a main factor in the shaking
movement through which the whole
church—and every one of us
individually—will pass. Whether we
remain in the church loyal to God, as
whole grain, or whether we are sifted
away as chaff, depends to a great
extent upon our response to the
message to Laodicea.
The
-
blessing written by John in
Revelation 1:3 is for those who both
hear and keep the message of the
book of Revelation. Part of the book is
the message to Laodicea. If Revelation
is to be a blessing to us, we must
"hear" and "keep" the message for
Laodicea that we shall study this week
and the next.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
A Message of Love
(Rev. 3:14, 15)
2.
Lukewarmness
(Rev. 3:15, 16)
3.
Insipid Christians
(Rev. 3:16)
4.
Spiritual Self-satisfaction
(Rev. 3:17-19)
5.
Christ at the Door
(Rev. 3:20)
6.
Our Response
(Rev. 3:22)
The Present Condition of the Church
LESSON 1
❑
Sunday
July 1
Part 1
A MESSAGE
OF LOVE
What message is given to the church in the last days?
"Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of the creation of God. I know thy works" (Rev. 3:14,
15).
The apostle John sent these messages to seven churches in
Asia Minor. These local congregations had the characteristics
depicted in their respective messages. At the same time, these
letters have a wider significance. These local churches repre=
sent
the
church of God at large during seven periods of time.
Laodicea is the last epoch, the one in which we live.
"The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling
denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the
present
time."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 252.
How is the author of the message described? Rev. 3:14.
All the titles given here belong to Christ. "Amen" is a Hebrew
word meaning "surely," from a root meaning "to be firm,
steady, trustworthy." Jesus used the word frequently to indicate
his authority. When He makes a promise, it will undoubtedly be
fulfilled. As a witness He is faithful and true, so that we can
always depend on Him. Indeed He is the beginning or source of
the creation of God, that is, the one through whom all things
were made. (See John 1:3.)
When we receive a letter from a dear friend, we eagerly read it
to know what it says. Since Jesus Himself is the Author of this
letter, how much more important it is for us to study it!
What does Christ say that He knows about us? Rev. 3:15.
He knows all about us, our feelings—our intentions, our
thoughts, our behavioral patterns. He knows even the things we
count trivial, such as the number of hairs on our head. (See
Matt. 10:30.)
Unfortunately we human beings do not know our inner selves
as well as we ought. This is why a true witness, a faithful friend,
who knows us intimately and who can read our hearts as an
open book, is especially helpful and His message should be
particularly welcome.
In view of the fact that Jesus knows so much about us, how
should we relate to Him?
Testimonies, vol.
1, pp. 185-188.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
10
The Present Condition of the Church
LESSON 1
❑
Monday
July 2
Part 2
How vividly does Jesus describe the condition of the Laodi-
LUKEWARMNESS cean church?
"Thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15, 16).
"The greater part [of the people of God who profess present
truth] are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal....
The term 'lukewarm' is applicable to this class. They profess to
love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion.
They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever,
yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the
principles of their faith. . . .
"... They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of
God, identifying themselves with its interests; but they hold
aloof and are ready to leave their posts when their worldly
personal interests demand it. The internal work of grace is
wanting in their
hearts."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, pp. 87, 88.
Note the elements that make up this lukewarmness:
1.
Deficiency in "Christian fervor and devotion."
We need to
live a life of daily communion with God, a life of study of the
Word and of prayer. In this way we can satisfy our spiritual
needs through the power of God—an urgent need.
2.
Unwillingness to "die to self and follow out closely the
principles of their faith."
"Turn ye even to me with all your
heart" (Joel 2:12), says the Lord. A divided heart will not give us
victory. "He that is not with me is against me: and he that
gathereth not with me scattereth" (Luke 11:23). The warfare in
which we are engaged has no neutral position. Christ requires
complete possession. Self must die in order for Christ to reign
on the throne of the heart.
3.
Not engaging "thoroughly and heartily in the work of God,
identifying themselves with its interests."
Many do not dedicate
sufficient time or interest, work or means in order to finish the
work of God.
4.
"The internal work of grace [sanctification] is wanting in
their hearts."
God desires to perform a miracle of grace in every
heart. "He which hath begun a good work in you," says Paul,
"will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Thank
God He is able to do it. But our consent is necessary. We must
give Him our hearty cooperation.
THINK IT THROUGH
If lukewarmness is a description that fits my life, how should
I go about changing my relationship with Christ?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies, vol.
1, pp. 188-190.
11
2-k L. 3-79
The Present Condition of the Church
LESSON 1
❑
Tuesday
July 3
Part 3
How does Jesus feel about lukewarm people?
INSIPID
CHRISTIANS
"I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:16).
Modern English versions have the word "spit" for "spue." It
indicates an action used when something is distasteful. We
should read here a mere prophecy or a promise that Christ will
spit His church out of His mouth. We see how Jesus presently
feels about those who are lukewarm and what action is inevita-
ble if they reject His counsel to change. Those who are
lukewarm cannot expect any other kind of treatment.
Warm water is very distasteful. It can sometimes be used as an
emetic. Administered to some people, it can make them vomit. If
this does not happen spontaneously, the warm water may still
assist in inducing vomiting.
By contrast, nothing can be more acceptable than a cold
drink on a hot day or a hot drink on a cold day.
"It would be more pleasing to the Lord if lukewarm professors
of religion had never named His name. They are a continual
weight to those who would be faithful followers of Jesus. They
are a stumbling block to unbelievers."—Testimonies,
vol.
1, p.
188.
Jesus sorrows over lukewarmness and spiritual mediocrity.
He expresses His fervent desire that the situation might change.
The severity of the divine denunciation is intended to arouse us
to a reformation of life, to cause a change so marked that it will
reveal the deep and converting work of the grace of Christ.
None of us needs to remain lukewarm. None need be spit out
of the mouth of Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH
What happens to individuals who persist in their lukewarm-
ness?
"Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if
they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True
Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth,
and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions,
the angels of God have the charge: 'They are joined to their
idols, let them alone,' and they pass on to their work, leaving
these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil
angels."—Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 187.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 2, pp. 175-178.
12
The Present Condition of the Church
LESSON 1
❑
Wednesday
July 4
Part 4
How do some Christians feel about their spiritual condition?
SPIRITUAL
SELF-
"Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
SATISFACTION need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. . . . Be zealous
therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:17-19).
It will be profitable to take each one of the conditions in verse
17 and try to understand its meaning in the context:
Rich:
Does this refer to a bank balance? Where is the only
bank where riches can be safe? How does one make deposits in
the bank of heaven? (See Matt. 6:19-21.)
Increased with goods:
Is it wrong to have plenty of this
world's goods? What attitude should we have toward wealth?
(See Luke 12:22.) Or what is the problem with being spiritually
self-satisfied?
Have need of nothing:
What kind of people feel that they do
not need anything? For what element are we constantly depen-
dent upon God? (See Acts 17:28; Phil. 1:21.)
Now look at the words which describe the actual condition of
those who are self-satisfied with their condition:
Wretched:
How would you describe a wretched person? How
can a person be rich and wretched at the same time? (See
James 5:1-6; Rom. 7:25.)
Miserable:
This word really means "an object of pity."—
Marvin R. Vincent.
Word Studies in the New Testament,
vol. 2, p.
471. The self-satisfied person is not aware of his own condition
and therefore is "pitiable."
Poor-blind-naked:
Here is a string of descriptive words that
emphasizes the real condition of the self-satisfied person. He
thinks he is rich when he is poor; he thinks he can see, but he is
blind; and he thinks he is beautifully adorned when he is actu-
ally naked.
"The message to the Laodiceans is applicable to Seventh-day
Adventists who have had great light and have not walked in the
light. It is those who have made great profession, but have not
kept in step with their Leader, that will be spewed out of His
mouth unless they
repent."—Selected Messages,
bk. 2, p. 66.
Here are some of the ways in which I may be self-deceived and
full of self-contentment and self-righteousness: (1) trusting in
my fulfillment of the external acts of worship and in my partici-
pation in the activities of the church; (2) trusting in my condition
as a member of the church—a united, well-organized, strong,
and growing church; (3) trusting in my knowledge and under-
standing of the wonderful system of biblical doctrines.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does it mean to be "zealous and repent"?
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 1, pp. 392, 393.
13
The Present Condition of the Church
LESSON 1
❑
Thursday
July 5
Part 5
What is the beautiful epilogue of the message to the Laodi-
CHRIST ceans?
AT THE DOOR
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20).
Read also verses 21, 22.
In the whole Bible probably there is not a more beautiful
picture painted than this of Christ standing at the door of the
human heart, knocking and waiting to enter in and to bless the
life with His wonderful and abiding presence.
But the crux of the matter is that regardless of Christ's will-
ingness and eagerness to enter our lives, He will not do it if we
do not decide to open the door and invite Him in.
Our will, the power of choice, will finally decide what the
outcome is going to be. He will not force us. He will not save us
against our desire and choice.
After Jesus walked with the two disciples who were going
toward Emmaus, what did they do and with what results? Luke
24:28, 29.
"Had the disciples failed to press their invitation, they would
not have known that their traveling companion was the risen
Lord. Christ never forces His company upon anyone. He inter-
ests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter the
humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart. But if men are too
indifferent to think of the heavenly Guest, or ask Him to abide
with them, He passes on. Thus many meet with great loss."—
The Desire of Ages,
p. 800.
In what tender words does God present His loving invitation
to surrender all our life to Him? Prov. 23:26.
"It is for you to yield up your will to the will ofJesus Christ; and
as you do this, God will immediately take possession and work
in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Your whole nature
will then be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ, and
even your thoughts will be subject to Him. .. . By yielding up
your will to Christ, your life will be hid with Christ in God and
allied to the power which is above all principalities and powers.
You will have strength from God that will hold you fast to His
strength; and a new light, even the light of living faith, will be
possible to
you."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 514.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does it mean that Jesus will "sup" with us when we
open our hearts' doors to Him?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 513-516.
14
The Present Condition of the Church
LESSON 1
❑
Friday
July 6
Part 6
OUR RESPONSE
How does Christ insist on the fact that unless there is a
willingness on our part, the message will not accomplish any
good?
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches" (Rev. 3:22).
No one is so deaf as the one who will not hear. The apostle
Paul prophesied about people who will "turn away their ears
from the truth" (2 Tim. 4:4). This has always been a very com-
mon human experience, and it continues to be so.
This stresses once more the need of our interest, of our
answer to the voice of God, of our cooperation with the plan and
the will of God for our salvation.
Procrastination, the postponement of our response, is always
dangerous because it hardens our heart and our ears to the
sweet voice of the Spirit, who is pleading with us.
How does Christ stress the fact that knowledge only is not
enough? Matt. 7:24-27.
"A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in
Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by
many. 'Believe, believe,' they say, 'and you need not keep the
law.' But a belief [or a knowledge] that does not lead to obedi-
ence is presumption. The apostle John says, 'He that saith, I
know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and
the truth is not in him.' 1 John
2:4."—Thoughts From the Mount
of Blessing,
p. 146.
We have been privileged by the abundant wealth of knowl-
edge contained in the Word of God, which we may understand
by study under the Spirit's guidance. Besides the understand-
ing of the Bible and the accumulated research made by our
forefathers under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, besides the
work of all our own godly researchers and theologians to enrich
our understanding of the Scriptures, we have had the inestima-
ble gift of the spirit of prophecy, which has widely enlarged our
horizons.
There is no excuse, then, for lack of action on our part, no
excuse for lukewarmness or lack of interest in our spiritual
well-being, no excuse for a lack of a real and practical experi-
ence with God and with Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is a practical and specific way of evaluating our prog-
ress, our faith, and our Christian experience?
"When benevolence, kindness, tenderheartedness, sym-
pathy, are manifest in our lives; when the joy of right doing is in
our hearts; when we exalt Christ, and not self, we may know that
our faith is of the right
order."—Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
pp. 146, 147.
15
LESSON 2 July 8-14
"I counsel thee to buy of me" (Rev.
3:18).
The wonderful thing about God's
messages of reproof is that remedies
are offered.
For many physical ailments that are
correctly diagnosed by the physician,
there is no known cure. He has to tell
the patient, "This is our diagnosis. We
are sure about the nature and the
result of your illness. But,
unfortunately, we can do nothing to
heal you."
Not in the Laodicean case however.
We may be very happy that the divine
and merciful Physician has not only
the ability to discover the origin and
the cause of our condition, but He has
also the absolute capability of
effecting a complete healing. And not
only this, but He offers to us very
graciously the needed medicines that
in this case are specific and absolute in
their curing effect.
It would not be fair to
overemphasize the negative part of
the message and fail to give equal
treatment to the most beautiful part of
it: Christ's generous offer and the
absolute certainty that if the needy
person accepts it and does what the
counsel calls for, the healing effect is
totally guaranteed.
So, in dealing with the positive part
of this great subject, we are dealing in
essence with the heart itself of the
Laodicean message. The wonderful
subject of the righteousness of Christ
and the possibility of acquiring the
character of Jesus and being made
participants of the divine nature is the
real issue contained in the message to
the Laodiceans.
Every child of Adam has ready
accessibility to complete forgiveness
and to total victory
because
he can
avail himself of Jesus' grace, the only
means of salvation. Moreover, any
Christian who feels the need of a
change will enjoy the privilege of
having the Holy Spirit work upon his
heart. In other words, the three
members of the Godhead work
together to restore every spiritually
ailing child of God, sick of sin, looking
for deliverance and strength.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
"I counsel thee to buy of me"
(Rev. 3:18)
2.
"Gold tried in the fire"
(Rev. 3:18)
3.
"White raiment"
(Rev. 3:18)
4.
"Eyesalve"
(Rev. 3:18)
5.
"I rebuke and chasten"
(Rev. 3:19)
6.
"Be zealous. . . , and repent"
(Rev. 3:19)
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
LESSON 2
❑
Sunday
July 8
Part 1
What are the first words of Christ in the remedial part of the
"I COUNSEL THEE message to Laodicea?
TO BUY OF ME"
"I counsel thee to buy of me" (Rev. 3:18).
Why does Christ use the verb "to buy" when He refers to
spiritual things?
We buy only those things to which we attach some value. To
buy means to pay a certain price, usually an amount of money.
But money means time, work, and effort put forth in order to
earn it. We are willing to trade our money only when we are
really interested in having something, and that something
should be really worthwhile.
How do we acquire spiritual blessings? Isa. 55:1.
Wine and milk were some of the most appreciated products in
the Orient. They represent the most precious blessings of salva-
tion. But human beings can buy these goods "without money."
Otherwise God would be very partial and unjust, since money is
unevenly distributed among people.
What pleading terms does Christ use to describe the salva-
tion which He freely offers? Rev. 22:17.
Every one of us pays a price in order to avail himself of Jesus
and His wonderful goods—by
interest
and
effort
put forth, by
decision taken and sustained, by
surrender
made continually.
How does the apostle Paul point out the price the Christian
needs to pay? Phil. 2:12.
How did Jesus emphasize the need of paying a real price for
sanctification and salvation? Matt. 13:44-46.
The man who found the hidden treasure went and sold every-
thing he had and eagerly bought the field. The merchant, simi-
larly, who found the precious pearl went and disposed of all his
goods in order to purchase the pearl.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the cost of salvation in a personal sense? Read
Matt. 16:24.
"We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be
emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or
accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into
captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 181.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"Consecration," pp. 43-46.
18
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
LESSON 2
❑
Monday
July 9
Part 2
"GOLD TRIED IN
THE FIRE"
What is the first of the three remedies offered by Christ?
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich" (Rev. 3:18).
Every one of the remedies offered by the heavenly Physician
is specific and it changes the sad spiritual condition for which it
is administered to the sick Laodiceans.
Since the professed child of God has said: "I am rich," when
in reality he was "wretched, and miserable, and poor," the
"gold tried in the fire" will make him really rich.
According to Ellen White, what does gold represent in this
context?
"The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire
is faith and love. It makes the heart rich; for it has been purged
until it is pure, and the more it is tested the more brilliant is its
l
uster."—Testimonies, vol.
4, p. 88.
In what Bible passage do we find these two virtues men-
tioned? Gal 5:22.
"Satan is constantly at work to remove these precious gifts
from the hearts of God's people. All are engaged in playing the
game of life. Satan is well aware that if he can remove love and
faith, and supply their place with selfishness and unbelief, all
the remaining precious traits will soon be skillfully removed by
his deceitful hand, and the game will be
lost."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, pp. 36, 37.
Love is the first evidence of conversion. It cannot be de-
veloped by mere human effort. It is of heavenly origin, and only
the presence of Christ can fill our hearts with love. Only love can
replace selfishness and hatred, anger and envy, jealousy, self-
esteem and self-sufficiency. Love replaces them with kindness,
forbearance, humility, meekness, and a forgiving spirit. Love
dispels contention and strife. It produces peace, goodwill, and
joy. It eliminates fear and distrust.
Faith, along with love, establishes between us and God a link
so indestructible that nothing and nobody can break it, except
sin. It makes accessible to us the forgiveness of God and His
power to live the victorious life. Faith puts at our disposal the
fulfillment of all the promises of God. It is an active principle that
manifests itself in the life by a voluntary surrender to Christ and
obedience to the will of God.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do you distinguish between the real and the counterfeit
in faith and love?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 139, 140.
19
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
LESSON 2
❑
Tuesday
July 10
Part 3
What is the appropriate clothing for the Christian?
"WHITE RAIMENT"
"And white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear" (Rev. 3:18).
What is symbolized by white raiment? Rev. 19:8.
"The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness
of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of
heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of
willing obedience."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 88.
A.
The righteousness of Christ by which we are justified:
—Is the work of Jesus for us.
—Is received by faith in Jesus. (See Eph. 2:8, 9; Rom. 3:24;
5:1.)
—
Is imputed—credited to our account—and granted freely,
immediately, and continuously.
—
Provides our title to heaven, the only merit we can claim.
—
Involves repentance, confession, and acceptance of Christ.
—Implies a complete surrender to God.
B.
The righteousness of Christ by which we are sanctified:
—
Is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
—
Is imparted through a gradual process of growth.
—
Provides our fitness, or preparation, for heaven.
—
Sanctifies us, imparts to us the character of Christ.
—
Is received by faith and through surrender.
—Is also the righteousness of Christ—His character—not
ours. All merit belongs to Him.
The two processes are interrelated and inseparable. There
could not be one without the other. What we many times forget
is that the plan of God is not only forgiveness of sin but change
of life, victory, and obedience to the will of God. The faith that
secures pardon for us also works by love and purifies the soul.
(See Gal. 4:5.) There is not one day we can do without imputed
righteousness. On the other hand, imputed righteousness—
forgiveness—without the consequent reception of the charac-
ter of Christ (works, fruits) makes our faith void.
It is our privilege to be constantly with God through our faith
in Jesus, depending on Him every minute of our lives, both for
forgiveness and for victory. His plan for us is one of pardon for
sin, victory over sin, and growth in grace. Victory is also the
character of Christ in us, not ours; His work in our hearts, not
ours; His righteousness, not ours.
THINK IT THROUGH
How would you define justification by faith?
"It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust,
and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for
himself."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 456.
FURTHER STUDY
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7,
pp. 961-963.
20
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
LESSON 2
❑
Wednesday
July 11
Part 4
What is the third remedy offered by the heavenly Physician?
"EYESALVE"
"And anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see" (Rev. 3:18).
One of the serious problems of the Laodiceans is that they are
blind (verse 17). The eyesalve is offered to cure blindness and
restore clear spiritual vision.
What is this eyesalve? "The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace
which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and
to detect sin under any
guise."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 88.
It is only the wisdom and grace given by the work of the Holy
Spirit in the heart that will enable us to see ourselves as we are
and as God sees us. It is only by the promptings of the Spirit that
we will be able to see clearly our sin and see it in all its sinful-
ness. The work of the Spirit, according to the promise of Christ,
is this: "When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin" (John
16:8).
The closer we get to Jesus, the sharper will be our concept of
the difference between the perfection of the Master and our
sinfulness. As the blackness of a spot becomes more evident
when it is placed beside something immaculately white, so the
more we acquaint ourselves with the beautiful and matchless
character of Christ, the more we will discover our unrighteous-
.
ness and the need for our dependence on the justifying righ-
teousness of Jesus. Increasing awareness of our desperate
need will ensure for us the cleansing and the transforming
power of Christ, His blood, and His Spirit.
Only by beholding the glory and the beauty of the spotless life
of Jesus can we become like Him. Thus we become more sensi-
tive to the voice of God, more convinced of our need of Him,
more willing to let Him work in and through us.
What other related meaning can the eyesalve have?
"The eye is the sensitive conscience, the inner light, of the
mind. Upon its correct view of things the spiritual healthfulness
of the whole soul and being depends. The `eyesalve,' the Word
of God, makes the conscience smart under its application; for it
convicts of sin. But the smarting is necessary that the healing
may follow, and the eye be single to the glory of God. The sinner,
beholding himself in God's great moral looking glass, sees
himself as God views him, and exercises repentance toward
God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."—Ellen G. White
Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7,
p. 965.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I improve my spiritual eyesight?
FURTHER STUDY
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7,
pp. 964-966.
21
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
LESSON 2
❑
Thursday
July 12
Part 5
What is an evidence that God loves us?
"I REBUKE AND
CHASTEN"
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" (Rev. 3:19).
Christ opens the curtain to let us see the abundant provision
of His infinite love. He sends this rebuke because of His love and
His eternal plan to save us.
Like a loving father who cares so much for his children that he
punishes them, our heavenly Father confronts us with a rep-
•
rimand that presents a true picture of our real condition.
What shows that we are true children of God? Heb. 12:5-8.
The formation of character, our fitness for heaven, makes
some correction, some chastisement, some trials necessary.
Nevertheless, the illustration should not be applied too literally,
because it is not actually God who sends us trials. Rather, He
permits us to suffer tribulation without intervening to prevent it.
But He is always watching very carefully to see that the fur-
nace in which the dross is melted away may not be hotter than
we can bear. When we are in difficult situations, God is with us
in a very special way. He does not leave us alone. 'When thou
passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the
rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through
the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle
upon thee" (Isa. 43:2).
Unfortunately people often become complacent and careless
when everything seems to be going fine and free from trouble.
But when tribulation comes, and sorrow and pain are their lot,
they turn to God for help.
Then the Spirit of God can speak tenderly to our hearts and
can show us our unrighteousness. Then a hunger and a thirst
for God develops, and we can hear His voice. Then repentance
and change can occur, and we emerge from the fires and the
waters of affliction with a new experience with God, a new
determination for our lives. In that spiritual climate revival and
reformation are worked by the Spirit of God.
THINK IT THROUGH
When afflictions, problems, frustrations, and perplexities
come into my life, how do I relate to them? What can they do
for me?
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 129, 130.
22
The Heart of the Laodicean Message
LESSON 2
❑
Friday
July 13
Part 6
What is the final counsel of the heavenly Physician?
"BE ZEALOUS . . . ,
AND REPENT"
"Be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:19).
Repentance is the deep heartfelt response to the work of the
Holy Spirit in the life. "Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a
turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its
sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no
real change in the life."—Steps
to Christ,
p. 23.
"When the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God,
the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern
something of the depth and sacredness of God's holy law, the
foundation of His government in heaven and on earth. . . .
Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has
a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of
appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the
Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of
holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be
restored to communion with Heaven."—Steps
to Christ,
p. 24.
Some Christians think that repentance takes place only in the
first steps of the Christian life. But repentance is an experience
that will characterize the life of the child of God every step of the
way until the end of the battle. Probably not one single day will
pass by without the need of repentance.
A second danger in understanding repentance is the idea that
something has to happen in the life, that some change must be
made by the sinner himself before he can go to Christ and
repent. Should the sinner wait until he has repented before
coming to Jesus? The answer is No. "If you see your sinfulness;
do not wait to make yourself better. . . . We must not wait for
stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier
tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to
Christ just as we
are."—Steps to Christ,
p. 31.
What is the scope of the message to Laodicea?
It is not only a call to repentance and forgiveness, but it is also
an invitation to possess the character of Christ, His righteous-
ness, His holiness.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it difficult to repent?
"Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of
character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not
inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character
is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of
Christ.... It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict
after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 331.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies, vol.
1, pp. 141-146.
23
F
The Shaking
LESSON 3
❑
Sunday
July 15
Part 1
In an hour of crisis in the life of Peter, what did Jesus reveal
DESCRIPTION AND to His disciple?
ESSENTIAL
FEATURES
"The Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed
for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:31, 32).
Peter needed this sifting, this bitter experience, in order to
become aware of his own condition, his weakness, and his
absolute need of Christ. Some time later, the once proud and
self-confident disciple learned how unstable and how cowardly
he
really was, denying His Lord three times.
Jesus wanted to prevent the complete discouragement of
Peter; so He commanded Simon: "When thou art converted
['When you have returned to me.' NIV] strengthen thy brethren."
These words proved encouraging to Peter after he had under-
gone the sifting. Jesus still waited for him to come back, to be
converted, and He still had an important work for him.
As in the case of Peter, so every child of God and the church
as a whole will undergo in these last days a special trial of faith.
Shaking, or sifting, has taken place in the past, but it will be
repeated near the end of time in a specific way.
"Shaking" or "sifting" is a figure of speech that designates
the particular experience of separating those in the church into
two groups—those who follow God and those who follow the
world. In some places grain is still shaken in a sieve so that
broken kernels, husks, and foreign particles fall through the
mesh, while the chaff is blown away.
How does the servant of the Lord describe the shaking?
"A storm is arising that will wrench and test the spiritual
foundation of every one to the utmost. Therefore avoid the sand
bed; hunt for the rock. Dig deep; lay your foundation sure.
Build, oh, build for eternity! Build with tears, with heartfelt
prayers."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 129, 130.
Why does God allow Satan to sift and shake the church?
"God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy
church. We cannot read the heart of man. But the Lord has
provided means to keep the church
pure."—Testimonies, vol.
1,
p. 99.
As in the case of Peter, so with us. Christ has provided us with
all the means to remain firm and loyal in the hour when our
spiritual foundations will be wrenched and tested to the utmost.
THINK IT THROUGH
How should the Christian react to mistakes—real or imag-
inary—in the church?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 89.
26
The Shaking
LESSON 3
❑
Tuesday
July 17
Part 3
What is the third condition that causes people to be shaken
CAUSES OF out?
FAILURE-2
"Every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it
fell: and great was the fall of it" (Matt. 7:26, 27).
Superficial knowledge and failure to put the truth into prac-
tice is another reason why many will be shaken out in the hour of
crisis. They will be deceived by false doctrines.
"God's Spirit has illuminated every page of Holy Writ, but
there are those upon whom it makes little impression, because
it is imperfectly understood. When the shaking comes, by the
introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored
nowhere, are like shifting
sand."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p.
112.
'The experience of the past will be repeated. In the future,
Satan's superstitions will assume new forms. Errors will be
presented in a pleasing and flattering manner. False theories,
clothed with garments of light, will be presented to God's
people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if possible, the very elect.
Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be
hypnotized."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 293.
What is the fourth important reason why many will be re-
jected, shaken out, or spewed out of the mouth of Christ? Rev.
3:16.
"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was
shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called
forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This
will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead
him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some
will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it,
and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people."—
Early Writings,
p. 270.
Christ's counsel fits this need: (1) Buy gold tried in the fire—
faith and love—the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (2) Buy white
raiment—the righteousness of Christ: forgiveness (or justifica-
tion); victory, and growth (sanctification, the perfect character
of Christ). (3) Buy eyesalve—the Holy Spirit, which gives wis-
dom and grace to recognize sin under any disguise.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does the Christian "buy" the above products?
FURTHER STUDY
Early Writings,
pp. 269-271.
28
The Shaking
LESSON 3
❑
Wednesday
July 18
Part 4
THE TIMING
THINK IT THROUGH
What admonition did Jesus give in His prophetic sermon?
"When these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh"
(Luke 21:28).
Many people have the idea that the shaking is still in the
future. But this is not so. The mighty shaking of the people of
God, the division of the church into two different classes, has
already begun.
What indication do we have in the inspired writings regarding
the time of the shaking?
"The mighty shaking has commenced and will go on, and all
will be shaken out who are not willing to take a bold and unyield-
ing stand for the truth and to sacrifice for God and His cause."—
Early Writings,
p. 50.
"I saw that we are now in the shaking time. Satan is working
with all his power to wrest souls from the hand of Christ and
cause them to trample underfoot the Son of God. An angel
slowly and emphatically repeated these words: 'Of how much
sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who
hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the
blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?' Charac-
ter is being developed. Angels of God are weighing moral worth.
God is testing and proving His people. These words were pre-
sented to me by the angel: 'Take heed, brethren, lest there be in
any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living
God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we
are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our
confidence steadfast unto the end.' "-Testimonies, vol.
1, p.
429.
"God is now sifting His people, testing their purposes and
their motives. Many will be but as chaff—no wheat, no value in
them"—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 51.
Why is it necessary for God rather than man to separate the
chaff from the wheat? In what matters only can the church
exercise discipline?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 163.
29
The Shaking
LESSON 3
❑
Thursday
July 19
Part 5
How did Paul express the truth that nothing could separate
THE CHURCH
him from the love of Christ?
WILL NOT
FALL
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribu-
lation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
peril, or sword? ... Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded,
that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom.
8:35-39).
Paul seems to suggest that tribulation, distress, persecution,
or any other difficult experiences that the Christian is called
upon to pass through, are not stumbling blocks to success but
the very circumstances in which we can be victorious. They are
the means whereby our faith is tested.
Nothing and no one will be able to shake us out of our rela-
tionship with Christ and His love if we just keep on looking to
and trusting in the Author and Finisher of our redemption.
Under adverse circumstances will the church of God fall?
"Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his
power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but
it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted
out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a
terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but
those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and
the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true,
without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. We
must be divested of our self-righteousness and arrayed in the
righteousness of Christ."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 2, p. 380.
God will not spew the church out of His mouth, but only the
lukewarm, the indifferent, the halfhearted. Only those who do
not take refuge in the power of God, who do not surrender
completely to Him and allow Him to act in their lives, only those
who do not divest themselves of their own righteousness and
array themselves in the righteousness of Christ will have to be
shaken out. But the church, cleansed and purified, will continue
her onward march to the city of God.
THINK IT THROUGH
What proportion of the church will fail because of their
lukewarmness?
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pp. 413, 414.
30
Revival and Reformation
LESSON 4
❑
Sunday
July 22
Part 1
What is the fervent counsel of God in a time of crisis?
NEED OF
REVIVAL AND
"Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with
REFORMATION all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with
mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and
turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the
evil" (Joel 2:12, 13).
"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most
urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work....
Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to
them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to
their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation,
repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon
which God has promised to grant us His
blessing."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p. 121.
"God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the
Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. I see a
crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His laborers to come into
line. Every soul should now stand in a position of deeper, truer
consecration to
God."—Selected Messages,
bk. 2, p. 400.
"God's people will not endure the test unless there is a revival
and a reformation."—Testimonies,
vol.
7, p. 285.
"A reformation is needed among the people, but it should first
begin its purifying work with the min
isters."—Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 469.
What is the difference between a revival and a reformation?
"A revival and a reformation must take place under the minis-
tration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two dif-
ferent things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quick-
ening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the
spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a
change in ideas and theories, habits and
practices."—Christian
Service,
p. 42.
What assurances do we have that the reformation will be
effected?
"I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently
passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a
great movement—a work of revival—going forward in many
places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God's
call."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 515.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I make sure that I am part of the revival and
reformation?
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 115.
34
Revival and Reformation
LESSON 4
❑
Tuesday
July 24
Part 3
What is the standard by which every teaching is to be
NEW LIGHT judged?
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not accord-
ing, to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa.
8:20).
With the excuse of trying to cause a revival and reformation in
the church, a number of individuals have claimed to bring "new
light." This is one way Satan seeks to trap careless souls. The
Bible statement (Isa. 8:20) does not invalidate any correct en-
largement on fundamental truths or any clearer understanding
of prophecy. But "when the power of God testifies as to what is
truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after supposi-
tions contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained."
—Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 161.
What are the three great marks of any authentic new light?
1.
It will be 100 percent in accord with the Word of God,
and it
will not depend on any whimsical and unbalanced interpreta-
tion of the Scriptures.
"Men and women will arise professing to have some new light
or some new revelation whose tendency is to unsettle faith in
the old landmarks. Their doctrines will not bear the test of God's
word, yet souls will be
deceived."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 295.
2.
It will not contradict any of the basic truths already estab-
lished
as immovable pillars in the doctrinal structure of the
church.
"He [Godj does not give one man new light contrary to the
established faith of the body. In every reform men have arisen
making this
claim."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 291.
3.
These who proclaim the new light will not be infatuated with
the idea that they are superior to their brethren.
They will not be
proud that God has
chosen
them, bypassing His people. This in
general, is the exalted view leaders of so-called "reform move-
ments" mistakenly hold of themselves.
"God has not passed His people by and chosen one solitary
man here and another there as the only ones worthy to be
entrusted with His
truth."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 291.
"Let none be self-confident, as though God had given them
special light above their brethren. Christ is represented as dwell-
ing in His
people."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 291.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it necessary to have a firsthand knowledge of the
truth, and not depend on others for our belief?
FURTHER STUDY
Early Writings,
p. 124;
Counsels to Writers,
pp. 49-51.
36
Righteousness
by Faith
LESSON 5
❑
Friday
August 3
Part 6
What is a prerequisite for having Christ dwell in the Chris-
HOW TO SECURE tian? Gal. 2:20.
CHRIST'S
RIGHTEOUSNESS
The dying of self, the recognition of our own impotency and
our need of Christ, is the prerequisite for receiving the rich
garment of Christ's righteousness.
This recognition of need leads to a surrender to Jesus—
renewed daily, hourly.
"When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes
possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man
can never accomplish for himself.... The soul that is yielded to
Christ becomes His own fortress, . . . impregnable to the as-
saults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control
of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 324.
Included in the surrender to Christ is the
confession
and
putting away of sins, claiming His promises by faith.
"Wicked men and devils cannot hinder the work of God ... if
they [God's people] will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess
and put away their sins, and in faith claim his promises. Every
temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret,
may be successfully resisted, 'not by might, nor by power, but by
my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.' "—Ellen G. White,
Review
and Herald,
March 22, 1887.
What is another aspect of living a victorious life? A vital and
permanent
connection with
God.
"Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never
resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and
temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time
we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection
with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by
moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquain-
tance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the
mercy of the enemy."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 324.
Why have many been defeated in their Christian warfare?
"They had struggled to refrain from sin, but had trusted in
their own strength. We should go to Jesus just as we are,
confess our sins, and cast our helpless souls upon our compas-
sionate Redeemer. This subdues the pride of the heart, and is a
crucifixion of self."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
March
5, 1889.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the secret of success in the Christian warfare?
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"The Beatitudes"
(Matt. 5:4, 6), pp. 9, 18.
47
MIO
••••
The Sealing
LESSON 6
❑
Sunday
August 5
Part 1
"TILL WE HAVE
SEALED"
How does the Bible describe the sealing? Rev. 7:1-14.
-J
"I
was pointed down to the time when the third angel's mes-
sage was closing. . . .
"I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a
writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and re-
ported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were
numbered and sealed. Then I sawJesus, who had been minister-
ing before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw
down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice
said, 'It is done.'
"—Early Writings,
p. 279.
Just as in the time of Ezekiel (chapter 9:2-6) a man with a
writer's inkhorn was commanded to set a mark on the foreheads
of those who "sigh and cry" for the abominations of Jerusalem,
so also before the beginning of the time of trouble and the
pouring out of the last plagues, an angel seals with the seal of
the living God those who have attained the character of the
144,000. This is done in order to preserve them from the general
destruction during the "day of the Lord."
What similar marking is carried on by a different power?
Rev. 13:16, 17.
"While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to
earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choos-
ing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of
God."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 605.
"The Lord is doing His work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of
all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority.
The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep
God's commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the
mark of the beast or of his
image."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 451,
452.
In other words, the sealing of the people of God is going on
right now, and the seal of the living God is being placed on the
foreheads of those who are prepared. When this work is finished,
the four angels who hold the four winds will turn them loose,
and the seven last plagues will begin to be poured out on the
wicked.
What is Satan trying to do?
"Satan is now using every device in this sealing time to keep
the minds of God's people from the present truth and to cause
them to waver."—Early
Writings,
p. 43.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the essential difference between the seal of God
and the mark of the beast?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 207-209.
50
The Sealing
LESSON 6
❑
Wednesday
August 8
Part 4
SANCTIFICATION
AND PREPARATION
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the agency God uses to seal us?
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).
It is God Himself, as the Holy Spirit, who does the work of
sealing human hearts for eternity.
The context of this verse indicates that the Christian is to shun
sin. Sin grieves the Holy Spirit. He cannot condone it; so He
cannot place His seal on one who indulges in it. See verse 32 for
the marks of a true Christian.
"Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their
foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a
settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they
cannot be moved—just as soon as God's people are sealed and
prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun
already."—Ellen G. White Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commen-
tary,
vol. 4, p. 1161.
When God holds His own, how safe are they? John 10:27-29.
Jesus makes it very clear that if we hear His voice and follow
Him we can be safe from any adversary.
The sealing is a spiritual preparation for the latter rain and the
loud cry. By it believers will be enabled to stand unmoved
during the time of trouble.
When will the opportunity to receive the seal of God be gone
forever? Rev. 15:5-8.
"Jesus is in His holy temple and will now accept our sac-
rifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins and
will pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may be
blotted out before He leaves the sanctuary. When Jesus leaves
the sanctuary, then they who are holy and righteous will be holy
and righteous still; for all their sins will be blotted out, and they
will be sealed with the seal of the living God. But those that are
unjust and filthy will be unjust and filthy still."—Early
Writings,
p. 48.
In view of the importance of the sealing work, how should
the Christian react?
"This [the sealing in Rev. 7:1-3] points out the work we now
have to do, which is to cry to God for the angels to hold the four
winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world,
and shall have proclaimed the warning against disobeying the
law of Jehovah."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
Dec. 11,
1888.
FURTHER STUDY
Early Writings,
pp. 279-282.
53
The Sealing
LESSON 6
❑
Friday
August 10
Part 6
Aside from the Holy Spirit, who else is a vital party in the
FULFILLING
process of the sealing?
THE CONDITIONS
"In whom [Christ] also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13).
The context of this verse tells us that we hear the word of God,
and then we believe it. When we believe it, we are "marked with
a seal" (NIV). This seal is the gift of the Holy Spirit. It becomes a
guarantee of redemption, which will find its final fulfillment at
the second coming of Christ. (See Rom. 8:23.)
How only can we be saved? Eph. 2:5-10.
When we were dead in trespasses and sins, God took the
initiative and saved us because of His inexpressible love. We
accept this love and provision and trust in Him, and God com-
pletes His work in us. It is wholly God's work (2 Cor. 5:18) and a
free gift from Him (Rom. 6:23). Thus there is no room for boast-
ing on our part, because we have only to accept what God has
done and can and will do for us.
This grace does not mean that we can keep on sinning and be
saved (Rom. 6:1-4). On the contrary, when a person is saved, his
connection with Christ means that he lives a new life (2 Cor.
5:17) because his desires have changed. Jesus came to save us
from our sins, and He makes us a people "zealous for good
deeds" (Titus 2:13, 14, RSV).
What promises do we have that as we are vitally united with
Christ every day and at every moment, surrendering to Him
and depending on Him by faith, the victory is guaranteed?
1 Cor. 15:57; Jude 24; Rom. 8:2.
"Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will
be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God.
Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure,
will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning
sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their
attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are
repenting and confessing their sins in the great antitypical day
of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of
God's protection."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
p. 445.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I be sure that I am daily in Christ?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 210-216.
55
LESSON 7 August 12-18
The
Spirit
"I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you for ever" (John
14:16).
The Holy Spirit plays such an
important role in the plan of salvation
and is so vitally related to our
preparation for the final crisis and the
finishing of God's work in this earth
that He merits a careful consideration
in this series of lessons.
On the other hand, the Spirit's real
nature and function have been
wrongly interpreted by many. It is of
the utmost importance, therefore, to
clarify our concepts about Him, His
essence, His power, His relationship
to God, to Christ, and to the Word of
God—as well as His relationship to us
and the tremendous task He will
perform in this last stage of human
history.
The outstanding importance of the
work of the Holy Spirit is reflected in
these words of the servant of the Lord:
"This promised blessing [the
reception of the Holy Spirit], claimed
by faith, brings all other blessings in its
train."—Gospel
Workers,
p.
285. It is
like a great package of spiritual goods
that wraps up all the wonderful
blessings of heaven. And the beautiful
thing about Him is that Christ has
promised to send Him to guide us, to
strengthen us, to be present with us,
to transform us and make us victorious
over sin, and to empower us for the
finishing of the gospel proclamation.
Nevertheless, unless we understand
His nature and mission in our life and
in the church, and unless we prepare
our hearts for His abiding presence,
we cannot receive the benefits that
come from His company and power.
Our life will lack the quality and the
depth which the times in which we live
require of us.
Naturally, our inquiry about the
Holy Spirit will not be a complete
theological discussion of the matter,
but rather a personal and
experimental knowledge of what God
can and will do in our life through His
work.
In this lesson—the first of four
consecutive ones devoted to this
supreme subject—we shall study the
Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the
Godhead. We shall demonstrate that
He is a person, that He is the
representative of God and of Christ.
Then we shall review His many
beneficial functions in our life.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
The Godhead: A Perfect Unity
(Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)
2.
A Person
(Eph. 4:30)
3.
A Representative
(John 16:7)
4.
Functions-1
(John 16:8)
5.
Functions-2
(Rom. 8:26, 27)
6.
Presence in the Life
(1 Cor. 3:16, 17)
The Holy Spirit
LESSON 7
❑
Monday
August 13
Part 2
What text of Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit is a per-
A PERSON
son?
"Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).
There is a tendency to think of the Holy Spirit in terms of an
"influence," or a "power," making Him to be something imper-
sonal. The Scriptures teach that the Spirit is a person. The
expression, "grieve not," cannot be applied to anything other
than a person.
Other passages point to the Holy Spirit as a person:
1.
He speaks (1 Tim. 4:1).
2.
He teaches (John 14:26).
3.
He reproves (John 16:8).
4.
He makes intercession (Rom. 8:26).
5.
Man could lie to Him (Acts 5:3).
6.
He loves (Rom. 15:30).
7.
Man may have communion with Him (2 Cor. 13:14).
8.
He may be insulted, tempted, sinned against (Heb. 10:29;
Acts 5:9; Matt. 12:31, 32).
Ellen White refers thus to the Holy Spirit:
"We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a
person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds....
(From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.)
"The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our
spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is
borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we
believe and are sure that we are the children of God... .
"The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear
witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the chil-
dren of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not
search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. 'For
what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man
which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but
the Spirit of God.'.
"The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by
the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy
Spirit"
2
—Evangelism,
pp. 616, 617.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it important to recognize that the Holy Spirit is a
person?
FURTHER STUDY
Evangelism,
pp. 616, 617.
59
The Holy Spirit
LESSON 7
❑
Tuesday
August 14
Part 3
A REPRESENTATIVE
THINK IT THROUGH
What did Christ tell His disciples before leaving them?
"It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him
unto you" (John 16:7).
"They [the disciples] are to contend with supernatural forces,
but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences
of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the
ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the
Lord's host, comes down to direct the battle."—The
Desire of
Ages,
p. 352.
What was the advantage to the disciples that Christ would
depart to heaven and send His Holy Spirit?
"The Holy Spirit is Christ's representative, but divested of the
personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered
with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally.
Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the
Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one
could then have any advantage because of his location or his
personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be
accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if
He had not ascended on high."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 669.
What other benefit would the children of God receive from the
Holy Spirit after Christ's ascension?
" 'It is expedient for you that I go away: for if
I
go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him
unto you.' John 16:7. Henceforth through the Spirit, Christ was
to abide continually in the hearts of His children. Their union
with Him was closer than when He was personally with
them."—Steps
to Christ,
p. 75.
In this way we can put into practice the counsel of Christ:
"Abide in me, and I in you.... He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do
nothing" (John 15:4, 5). The only way for Christ to abide in us is
through the Holy Spirit. The only way we can abide in Him is by
accepting His promise through faith, studying His word, and
living a life of prayer.
Why is it important for the Christian to have the Holy Spirit in
his life?
"Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the
divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to
overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to
impress His own character upon His church."—The
Desire of
Ages,
p. 671.
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 47-50.
60
The Holy Spirit
LESSON 7
❑
Wednesday
August 15
Part 4
FUNCTIONS-1
What is the prime function of the Holy Spirit in the world?
"When he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world
of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).
Of sin
The first work of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin, thus
producing real repentance. If it were not for His silent and
effective promptings, no heart would be reproved of sin. On the
Day of Pentecost a great multitude was convicted and exclaimed:
"Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto
them, Repent, and be baptized" (Acts 2:37, 38).
Of righteousness.
The Spirit convicts of righteousness, that
is, He invites man to accept the imputed and the imparted
righteousness of Christ. He shows that Jesus was righteous and
His cause was vindicated (John 16:10).
Of judgment.
The Holy Spirit warns man of a judgment to
come, and awakens in his mind the desire to yield his life to
Christ. In fact, Satan has already been judged at the cross, and
the sinner can expect only condemnation (v. 11).
Describe another function of the Holy Spirit. John 14:26;
16:13.
Another very important work of the Spirit is to lead the mind in
the study of the Word of God, guiding the student into all truth. It
is amazing to see the Spirit in action while we study the Word.
He prevents us from falling into errors and opens up new under-
standings of truth. Further, He speaks to our hearts, pointing
out our spiritual needs, showing us new areas of truth, and
enlarging our spiritual vision.
Through the leadership and the work of the Spirit of God our
forefathers discovered and treasured truth after truth. Naturally
they had a humble and teachable spirit, and they combined the
hard study and thinking with fervent prayer.
Discover another and related mission of the Spirit. See John
14:26 and Mark 13:11.
It is really encouraging to see how, in moments of necessity or
emergency, the Holy Spirit has illuminated the minds of the
children of God, reminding them of things already studied. In
these last days, when many of us may be called to give an
explanation or a testimony of our faith before rulers and courts
of justice, these verses present a comforting promise and a
wonderful assurance.
THINK IT THROUGH
What ought Ito be doing now if the Spirit is going to recall to
my mind important truths in an emergency?
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pp. 355, 670.
61
The Holy Spirit
LESSON 7
❑
Thursday
August 16
Part 5
FUNCTIONS-2
How does the Holy Spirit help us in our prayer life?
"In the same way the Spirit comes to the aid of our weak-
ness. We do not even know how we ought to pray, but through
our inarticulate groans the Spirit himself is pleading for us,
and God who searches our inmost being knows what the Spirit
means, because he pleads for God's people in God's own
way" (Rom. 8:26, 27, NEB).
With our limited knowledge and human weaknesses, with our
ignorance in regard to the future, we are not able to pray for the
right things in the right way. But the Spirit, who prompts us to
pray, also shows us our spiritual needs and indicates what we
should pray for. Also He interprets our petitions before the
Father and makes them meaningful. So when we pray with
complete submission to God, the Spirit perfects that prayer and
intercedes on our behalf. God may not answer our prayers by
giving us precisely what we ask for, since that may not be to our
benefit. But He will answer the perfected and interpreted prayer
of the Comforter, who knows our needs and knows also the will
of God.
The Three Persons of the Godhead are actively helping us in
every sincere prayer. We pray in the name of the Son to the
Father, and the Holy Spirit adds His intercession.
What is another function of the Holy Spirit in the Christian
experience? Rom. 8:16.
He gives us the assurance and bears witness that we are
children of God. What a beautiful and comforting certainty!
Another mission of the Spirit is very important. What is it?
Gal. 5:22, 23; John 3:5.
"When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it
transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are
renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger,
envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the counte-
nance reflects the light of heaven. No one sees the hand that lifts
the burden, or beholds the light descend from the courts above.
The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to
God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a
new being in the image of God."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 173.
What is another mission of the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:8.
What has been the most important function of the Holy Spirit
in my life?
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Like Unto Leaven," pp. 96, 97.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
62
The Holy Spirit
LESSON 7
❑
Friday
August 17
Part 6
PRESENCE
IN THE LIFE
Where does the Holy Spirit like to dwell?
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of
God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy,
which temple ye are" (1 Cor. 3:16, 17).
God wants to abide in us through His Holy Spirit. He wants to
make each of us a temple in which His Spirit may abide. He
knocks at the door of our hearts. He longs to come in, to be with
us permanently, blessing us with His wonderful presence.
The only way in which we can avail ourselves of the blessed
and multiple ministry of the Holy Spirit is by receiving Him in our
lives every day by faith through prayer and the study of the
Word.
How willing is God to bestow the Holy Spirit on His children?
On what condition? Luke 11:13; Rev. 3:20.
The only condition is that of asking and receiving. God will
not force His way into the heart. He stands outside and knocks,
and only if we open the door will He come in and sup with us.
"This promised blessing [the Holy Spirit], claimed by faith,
brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the
riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul
according to the capacity to receive."—The
Desire of Ages,
p.
672.
Before Jesus ascended, how did He empower the disci-
ples? John 20:22, 23.
Jesus not only promised the Holy Spirit (John 16:7) but he
breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. The Christian is not only
one who follows Christ, but he is one who has the Holy Spirit
directing and controlling in his life.
THINK IT THROUGH
When and how does the Holy Spirit come into the life?
"There are many who profess to believe and claim the Lord's
promises; they talk about Christ and the Holy Spirit; yet they
receive no benefit, because they do not surrender their souls to
the guidance and control of divine agencies."—Gospel
Work-
ers,
pp. 284, 285.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
p. viii.
63
LESSON 8 August 19-25
"Ananias went his way, and entered
into the house; and putting his hands
on him [Saul] said, Brother Saul, the
Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto
thee in the way as thou camest, hath
sent me, that thou mightest receive
thy sight, and be filled with the Holy
Ghost" (Acts 9:17).
As soon as Saul surrendered to the
power of Jesus and wanted to be His
disciple, Ananias was sent to him with
the instruction to pray for the new
disciple to be filled with the Holy
Spirit. "The Lord ... hath sent me, that
thou mightest . . . be filled with the
Holy Ghost."
The plan of God is that every
disciple should receive the fullness of
the Spirit, reaching that mature stage
where it may be said that he or she is
filled with the Spirit.
In this lesson we plan to review the
different stages in the work of the
Spirit and in our relationship with
Him. We shall study what the Spirit of
God does on our behalf in each one of
those aspects of His work.
Speaking about Christ, John says:
"God giveth not the Spirit by measure
unto him" (John 3:34). Christ, as the
Second Person of the Godhead, and
being Himself God, did not need the
Holy Spirit. But, in order to give us an
example as a human being, He was
filled with the Spirit. This was visibly
evident at His baptism. Just as God did
not give His Spirit "by measure," that
is to say, sparingly, to the Son of man,
so He does not give the Spirit sparingly
to His children.
It is the privilege of every one of us
to make room for the Holy Spirit to
operate in his or her life. In this lesson
we shall seek to make clear how this
takes place.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Convicting Power
(John 16:8)
2.
Indwelling Power
(John 14:16, 17)
3.
Enabling Power
(Acts 1:5)
4.
The Latter Rain
(Joel 2:28, 29)
5.
Receiving the Spirit
(Luke 11:13)
6.
A Daily Experience
(Gal. 3:14)
The Work of the Holy Spirit
LESSON 8
❑
Sunday
August 19
Part 1
What three tasks of the Holy Spirit did Jesus point out?
CONVICTING
POWER
"When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).
The Holy Spirit has a threefold task. First of all He convicts
man of his sin. The sense of guilt is evidence of the work of the
Holy Spirit. But He doesn't stop there. He goes on to show how a
man can be right with God. This is possible only through Christ.
And then He points out that the one who refuses to accept God's
plan of salvation has to face a judgment. But the first step is a
crucial one, for each of us must recognize that he is a sinner
before he desires to accept the Saviour.
What happened to those who heard Peter's sermon at
Pentecost? Acts 2:37.
Peter minced no words in telling the audience that they had
crucified the One whom God had made Lord and Christ (v. 36).
He was speaking with the convicting power of the Holy Spirit
and immediately they cried out: "What shall we do?"
"The arguments of the apostles alone, though clear and con-
vincing, would not have removed the prejudice that had with-
stood so much evidence. But the Holy Spirit sent the arguments
home to hearts with divine power. The words of the apostles
were as sharp arrows of the Almighty, convicting men of their
terrible guilt in rejecting and crucifying the Lord of glory."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 45.
"When sin has deadened the moral
.
perceptions, the wrong-
doer does not discern the defects of his character nor realize
the enormity of the evil he has committed; and unless he yields
to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit he remains in partial
blindness to his
sin."—Steps to Christ,
p. 40.
Why is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit so important?
"If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the
Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the
importance of obeying the divine requirements.... The Spirit is
given as a regenerating agency, to make effectual the salvation
wrought by the death of our Redeemer. . . . Having brought
conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of
righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the
things of this earth and fills the soul with a desire for holiness."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 52, 53.
THINK IT THROUGH
What happens to a person who refuses to listen to the
promptings of the Holy Spirit?
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 51-53.
66
The Work of the Holy Spirit
LESSON 8
❑
Monday
August 20
Part 2
What provision has Jesus made that He would be with His
INDWELLING
disciples after His ascension?
POWER
"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Com-
forter, that he may abide with you for ever; ... he dwelleth with
you, and shall be in you" (John 14:16, 17).
"In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy
Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that
inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant
help He had provided for His church. . . . It is the Spirit that
makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's
Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 671.
What are some of the advantages of having the Holy Spirit in
the life? John 3:3; Gal. 5:22, 23; John 16:13,
The advantages may be summarized as follows:
1.
We are born again and can see the kingdom of God. John
3:3.
2.
We produce the peaceable fruit of the Spirit. John 15:4, 5;
Gal. 5:22, 23.
3.
We are guided into all truth. John 16:13.
4.
Our prayers are made effective. Rom. 8:26.
5.
We have companionship and advice so that we are never
lonely or frustrated. John 14:16-18. (See NIV.)
"At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all afflic-
tions, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing,
and we feel helpless and alone, the Comforter will be sent in
answer to the prayer of faith. Circumstances may separate us
from every earthly friend; but no circumstance, no distance, can
separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are,
wherever we may go, He is always at our right hand to support,
sustain, uphold, and cheer."—The
Desire of Ages,
pp. 669, 670.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I make sure that the Holy Spirit remains in my
heart?
"The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is
looking unto Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and shows
them unto him. If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the
Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image."—
The Desire of Ages,
p. 302.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"To Meet the Bridegroom," pp.
419-421.
67
The Work of the Holy Spirit
LESSON 8
❑
Tuesday
August 21
Part 3
What kind of baptism did Jesus promise His disciples?
ENABLING
POWER
"John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (Acts 1:5).
"Christ's visible presence was about to be withdrawn from
the disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be theirs.
The Holy Spirit was to be given them in its fullness, sealing them
for their work."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 30.
For what purpose did Christ promise to send His Holy Spirit?
Acts 1:8.
The gift of the Holy Spirit was to enable the children of God to
witness effectively for their Master.
"The work committed to the disciples would require great
efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them.
A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of
darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right
only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give
them."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 31.
Sometimes the Spirit will confer upon some people special
gifts or talents like the ones mentioned in First Corinthians 12.
The important thing is that, with miraculous gifts or without
them, every child of God needs to bear witness to Jesus by his
life and his spoken testimony.
How did the Holy Spirit endow the early disciples for witness-
ing? Acts 2:4-11.
In order to witness quickly to the whole world with its many
languages, the disciples had to have the gift of tongues.
"The Holy Spirit did for them that which they could not have
accomplished for themselves in a lifetime. They could now
proclaim the truths of the gospel abroad, speaking with accu-
racy the languages of those for whom they were laboring. This
miraculous gift was a strong evidence to the world that their
commission bore the signet of Heaven. From this time forth the
language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate,
whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign
language."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 39, 40.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why do you think God uses men rather than angels in pro-
claiming the gospel?
"The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability,
and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and
happiness to its possessor."—Steps
to Christ,
p. 80.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 110;
Steps to Christ,
"The Work and the
Life," pp. 77-83.
68
The Work of the Holy Spirit
LESSON 8
❑
Wednesday
August 22
Part 4
THE LATTER RAIN
Upon whom does God say He will pour out His Holy Spirit in
the last days?
"I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream
dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the
servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out
my spirit" (Joel 2:28, 29).
Read also Acts 2:16-21.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is illustrated in the Bible as
the early and the latter rain. (See Zech. 10:1; Joel 2:23.)
"The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was
the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the
result. . . .
"But near the close of the earth's harvest, a special bestowal
of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the
coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is
likened to the falling of the latter rain."—The
Acts of the Apos-
tles,
pp. 54, 55.
How only can the gospel be taken to all the world in these
last days? Zech. 4:6.
What encouraging assurance are we given that the whole
world will be evangelized, and how? Rev. 18:1, 4.
"It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the time
when the events of the Day of Pentecost shall be repeated with
even greater power than on that occasion. . .. Then, as at the
Pentecostal season, the people will hear the truth spoken to
them, every man in his own tongue.
"God can breathe new life into every soul that sincerely de-
sires to serve Him, and can touch the lips with a live coal from off
the altar, and cause them to become eloquent with His praise.
Thousands of voices will be imbued with the power to speak
forth the wonderful truths of God's Word. The stammering
tongue will be unloosed, and the timid will be made strong to
bear courageous testimony to the truth."—Ellen G. White
Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 1055.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I be sure that I can be used of God in witnessing?
"Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of
grace, will have power proportionate to their daily need and
their ability to use that power."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 55.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 611, 612.
69
The Work of the Holy Spirit
LESSON 8
❑
Thursday
August 23
Part 5
RECEIVING
THE SPIRIT
How willing is God to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
Him?
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to them that ask Him" (Luke 11:13).
God does not withhold the gift of the Holy Spirit from a
person. But we are slow to ask for the gift, slow to recognize our
need of Him, slow to appropriate the gift in order to live the
victorious life.
To how many is the Spirit of God promised? Acts 2:39.
"The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to
any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit
was to be with His followers unto the end."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
p. 49.
Thus the Spirit of God instructed Moses and the children of
Israel (Neh. 9:20). Caleb and Joshua were men of the Spirit,
undaunted by the heathen and their cities in Canaan (Num.
14:24; 27:18). The true church in the Middle Ages in Europe,
during the Reformation, and in our own day is led by men of the
Spirit. Men and women down through the centuries have de-
cided between truth and falsehood; and when they have placed
themselves on the side of God, God has been with them through
the Holy Spirit.
Are there any conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit? Acts
5:32.
We must obey Him. He wants to use us, to lead our lives, to
encourage us to do good things, and to eliminate bad habits
and feelings. The Spirit remains in our lives only as we obey
Him. If we disregard His promptings and His biddings, we grieve
Him (Eph. 4:30), and He withdraws from us.
"As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise [of
the Spirit], they humbled their hearts in true repentance and
confessed their unbelief. As they called to remembrance the
words that Christ had spoken to them before His death they
understood more fully their meaning. Truths which had passed
from their memory were again brought to their minds, and these
they repeated to one another."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 36.
The more we pray for the Spirit and yield our lives to God, the
more the Spirit is able to perfect our characters.
How have some people tried to use the Holy Spirit? Read
Acts 8:15-24.
Selected Messages,
bk. 2, pp. 56, 57.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
70
The Work of the Holy Spirit
LESSON 8
❑
Friday
August 24
Part 6
A DAILY
EXPERIENCE
What is an essential condition of receiving the promise of
the Holy Spirit?
"That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith" (Gal. 3:14).
As in the case of other spiritual blessings, faith is an indis-
pensable requisite of receiving the Spirit. Many times, de-
pressed by the feeling of our own sinfulness and unworthiness,
we do not dare to ask for the Spirit with fervor and enthusiasm.
Or if we pray for this gift, we do so as a formal thing, without faith
in the fulfillment of the promise.
The secret of receiving is believing. This is true of forgiveness
of sin, acceptance by Christ, reception of the Holy Spirit.
"Therefore I say unto you," said Jesus, "What things soever ye
desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall
have them" (Mark 11:24). When faith lays hold of the promise of
God, the Lord supplies the fact. But the promise should be
claimed by faith. God does not grant any spiritual good accord-
ing to our goodness or to our own merits, because we have
none. He gives us what we need according to His mercy, in the
name of His Son, because He loves us and honors our faith.
"At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need
them and will take Him at His word. . . .
"The disciples did not ask for a blessing for themselves. They
were weighted with the burden of souls. The gospel was to be
carried to the ends of the earth, and they claimed the endow-
ment of power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the
Holy Spirit was poured out. . . .
"So it may be now. Let Christians put away all dissension and
give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in
faith for the promised blessing, and it will
come."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 20, 21.
How important is the power of Christ to the believer? John
15:5.
"Morning by morning, as the heralds of the gospel kneel
before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him,
He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving,
sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day's duties, they have
the assurance that the unseen agency of the Holy Spirit enables
them to be 'laborers together with God.'
"—The Acts of the
Apostles,
p. 56.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is faith so important to the reception of the Holy Spirit?
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Talents," pp. 327, 328.
71
S4
•
1
LESSON 9 August 26 to September 1
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God: for
he hath given you the former rain
moderately, and he will cause to come
down for you the rain, the former rain,
and the latter rain in the first month"
(Joel 2:23).
This verse had a historic immediate
application. God promised to restore
the normal rainfall for the different
seasons, since this regularity of the
rain was the basis for good crops and
abundance of food. The early or
former rain used to come in the
autumn of the northern hemisphere,
and it was very appropriate to produce
the germination, because it was the
sowing time. The latter rain usually
came in spring to ripen the grain and
to bring the crop to maturity.
But this 'promise was preserved
because of its important spiritual and
prophetic application. "The Lord
employs these operations of nature to
represent the work of the Holy Spirit.
As the dew and the rain are given first
to cause the seed to germinate, and
then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy
Spirit is given to carry forward, from
one stage to another, the process of
spiritual
growth."—Testimonies to
Ministers,
p. 506.
This promise applies not only to the
individual life of the Christian, but also
to the history of the church at large.
The Hebrew word translated "rain"
means also a violent shower, or a real
downpour. This suggests that rain can
be torrential as well as gentle!
Applied to the church in general,
the early rain represents the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the
Day of Pentecost and during the rest of
the apostolic era, while the latter rain
refers to the powerful manifestation of
the Holy Spirit that is going to usher in
the last stages of the history of the
church that will see the finishing of
God's work in the earth.
In this lesson we shall consider the
former and the latter rains as
individual spiritual experiences as well
as phases in the history of the church.
We shall study some of the
wonderful promises God has given
concerning the outpouring of His Holy
Spirit on the church and His purpose
in doing so. We are also going to
consider the importance of this
power, the willingness of God to
bestow this gift, and the reasons why
this gift has not yet been fully
received.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
The Historic Early Rain
(Acts 2:1-4)
2.
Promises of the Latter Rain
(Joel 2:23)
3.
Purpose of the Latter Rain
(Rev. 18:1, 4)
4.
Importance of the Latter Rain
(Zech. 10:1)
5.
Reason for Delay
(2 Chron. 7:14)
6.
Early and Latter Rain Experience
(Mark 4:28)
The Early and the Latter Rains
LESSON 9
❑
Sunday
August 26
Part 1
THE HISTORIC
EARLY RAIN
Describe what happened on the Day of Pentecost.
"When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a
sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all
the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto
them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utter-
ance" (Acts 2:1-4).
Peter asserts that this experience was a fulfillment of the
prophecy of Joel (v.16). Whereas in Old Testament times people
were dependent on their leaders for spiritual guidance, in the
New Testament times people would have direct access to a
knowledge of the truth through the Holy Spirit.
The figure of pouring out the Spirit is a striking one. It is taken
from the climatic conditions of Palestine where vegetation is
dependent on the early and the latter rains. These rains could be
torrents at times. The early rain came in October and November,
at the sowing time, and the latter rain came in March and April
when the grain was ready to fill out.
It is also remarkable how quickly vegetation grows out of
parched ground when some rain falls. Isaiah refers to the pour-
ing out of the Spirit upon people, and compares the result to the
marvel of seeing the wilderness become a fruitful field. God is
saying that His people are as good as dead unless they receive
His Spirit. When they receive the Holy Spirit, then their lives can
blossom as the rose.
What were some of the amazing results of Pentecost? Acts
2:41-43, 46, 47.
"Under the training of Christ the disciples had been led to feel
their need of the Spirit. Under the Spirit's teaching they received
the final qualification, and went forth to their lifework. No longer
were they ignorant and uncultured."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 45.
"The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the utter-
most parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed
the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of
this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from
all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united
with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had
been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its
champions."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 48.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is it that causes a man to thirst for the Holy Spirit?
74
The Early and
the Latter Rains
LESSON 9
❑
Monday
August 27
Part 2
In what words did the prophet Joel convey God's promise of
PROMISES OF the latter rain?
THE LATTER
RAIN
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord
your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately,
and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former
rain, and the latter rain in the first month" (Joel 2:23).
God had promised Israel that if they were faithful to Him He
would give them rain at the proper time. (See Deut. 28:12.) But if
Israel were unfaithful to Him and did not recognize that He was
the source of all blessings, He would then send a drought, as in
the days of Elijah. (See 1 Kings 17:1.) Then the people would
recognize that God alone was the source of the blessing of rain.
(See Jer. 14:22.)
What assurance is there from the early rain that there will be
a latter rain? Hosea 6:3.
God may have to delay His promises when His people are not
ready, but His purposes "know no haste and no delay"—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 32. "When the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth His Son," and when the time comes for the latter
rain to be poured out, its effect will be clearly manifest.
What are some of the signs that indicate the time when the
latter rain will be due? Joel 2:30, 31.
Just as the early church could not have grown without the
experience at Pentecost, so the work of God cannot be finished
in the last days without a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"These scenes are to be repeated, and with greater power.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was
the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant"—
Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 121.
What will be some of the results of the latter rain?
"Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with
holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim
the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the
earth, the warning will be given. . . . Signs and wonders will
follow the believers."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 612.
THINK IT THROUGH
What should the remnant church be doing to prepare for the
latter rain?
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"The Pearl," pp. 119-121.
75
The Early and
the Latter Rains
LESSON 9
❑
Tuesday
August 28
Part 3
In what prophetic terms is the latter rain and its glorious
PURPOSE OF results described?
THE LATTER RAIN
"After these things I saw another angel come down from
heaven, having great power; and the earth was lighted with
his glory.
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out
of her [fallen Babylon], my people, that ye be not partakers of
her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:1, 4).
The angel of Revelation 18 who lights the whole world with
the glory of God does not represent a new message, additional
to the three of Revelation 14, but a new power added to the
proclamation of the three messages; namely, the power of the
Holy Spirit through the pouring out of the latter rain.
What are the two main purposes of the latter rain?
1.
To finish the work of God on earth.
2.
To prepare the saints for the time of trouble.
"At that time the 'latter rain,' or refreshing from the presence
of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the
third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when
the seven last plagues shall be poured out."—Early
Writings,
p. 86.
"It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to
pass through the time of trouble. Their faces will shine with the
glory of that light which attends the third angel."—Ellen G.
White Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.
7, p. 984.
What will be one of the main means God will use to lighten the
whole earth under the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
"In a large degree through our publishing houses is to be
accomplished the work of that other angel who comes down
from heaven with great power and who lightens the earth with
his
glory."—Testimonies, vol. 7,
p. 140.
"God will soon do great things for us, if we lie humble and
believing at His feet.... More than one thousand will soon be
converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convic-
tions to the reading of our publications."—Evangelism, p. 693.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are some of the means that God has provided for
spiritual growth and commitment?
"Unless the members of God's church today have a living
connection with the Source of all spiritual growth, they will not
be ready for the time of reaping."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 55.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 40.
76
The Early and the Latter Rains
LESSON 9
❑
Wednesday
August 29
Part 4
IMPORTANCE OF
THE LATTER RAIN
How does the prophet encourage us to plead with God for
the reception of the latter rain?
"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the
Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain,
to every one grass in the field" (Zech. 10:1).
If it were not of vital importance for the individual Christian
and for the church at large to receive the latter rain, we would
not find this emphatic encouragement.
Just as the rain softens the ground and prepares it for plowing
so that the seed can be sown, so the Holy Spirit prepares the
ground of our hearts for the seed of the Word. And just as the
latter rain enables the crop to develop so that there will be a rich
harvest, so the Holy Spirit causes the individual to bring forth
fruit in his life and ministry that will mean the finishing of God's
work on the earth.
"This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other
blessings in its train."—Gospel
Workers,
p. 285.
How earnestly should we pray for the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit? Joel 2:12, 13.
The rending of the garment was a Semitic custom indicating
concern. (See Jer. 36:24.) Joel is saying that we should not be
concerned in a superficial or external sense, but in a real sense,
with our hearts torn because of the situation we find our-
selves in.
"It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the
riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If all were
willing to receive, all would become filled with His Spirit."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 419.
"The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked
forward to as in the future; but it is the privilege of the church to
have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it,
and Heaven is waiting to bestow
it."—Evangelism,
p. 701.
"At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need
them and will take Him at His
word."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 20.
"I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpour-
ing of the Holy Spirit will take place—when the mighty angel will
come down from heaven, and unite with the third angel in
closing up the work for this world."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1,
p. 192.
THINK IT THROUGH
What evidences are there that God is at work in the world
today?
FURTHER STUDY
Christian Service,
pp. 250-256.
77
The Early and the Latter Rains
LESSON 9
❑
Thursday
August 30
Part 5
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
REASON FOR themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
DELAY wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chron. 7:14).
Many of God's promises are conditional on obedience. When
God's people obey Him with all their hearts, there is no doubt
about the blessings that will be bestowed.
At all times God has been anxious to bestow upon His chil-
dren His choicest blessings, including the gift of the Holy Spirit.
But the people of God have not been ready to receive the
heavenly gifts.
God never intrudes into the human heart. He never violates
the will. In order for Him to come down from heaven and bless
us, either individually or collectively, we must feel our need of
Him, and we must be ready. By His grace we must empty our-
selves of all the sinful practices that prevent us from receiving
His presence and His Spirit. We must open the door and fulfill
certain conditions.
What practical request does the Lord make of us? Prov.
23:26.
The heart represents our inner being. It determines where we
go and what we do. (See Prov. 4:23.) It is safe only when we
place it in the hands of God. (See Prov. 3:5.) Can it be that we fail
to enjoy the full blessings of God because we have not surren-
dered our hearts fully to Him?
What warning does the wise man give us? Prov. 14:12.
THINK IT THROUGH
Could it be that our knowledge is purely intellectual? "With-
out the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The
theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot
quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with
the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit
of God sets the truth home, the character will not be trans-
formed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be
able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the
masterful temptations of
Satan."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pp.
408, 411.
"The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire
and consent implanting in him a new nature."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
p. 411.
What can I do to hasten and make possible the outpouring
of the latter rain, both in the church and in my own personal
experience?
FURTHER STUDY
Evangelism,
pp. 701, 702.
78
The Early and the Latter Rains
LESSON 9
❑
Friday
August 31
Part 6
How did Jesus emphasize the concept of a growing Chris-
EARLY AND tian experience?
LATTER RAIN
EXPERIENCE
"The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then
the ear, after that the full corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28).
Jesus pointed out that spiritual growth is very much like the
growth of plants in nature; there are various stages of develop-
ment; there is a logical sequence. Theologians tend to make
Bible truths difficult to comprehend, but the fact is that there is a
simplicity about Christian growth that even a child can grasp.
There is the seed planted in the ground—the word of God in
the heart. The seed dies, but a new plant springs up—the old
man dies, but the Christian rises to walk in newness of life.
There are roots that must go deep for stable nourishment and a
stem that must be sheltered at first, but later will be able to stand
up to the winds of strife. There will be need for the water of life;
and then the fruit will appear in its season, fruit that will bring joy
and nourishment to others. Throughout the existence, from
germination to harvest, the power of God has been at work; so
the tree or plant cannot claim any glory to itself.
"It is God's rain and air and sunshine" that cause the plants to
grow. "It is God who is every day feeding millions from earth's
harvest fields. Men are called upon to co-operate with God in
the care of the grain and the preparation of the loaf, and be-
cause of this they lose sight of the divine agency. They do not
give God the glory due unto His holy name."—The
Desire of
Ages,
pp. 367, 368.
Why is the experience of the early and latter rain needed?
"Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at
every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the
work. There is no place for us to rest in a careless attitude. We
must never forget the warnings of Christ, 'Watch unto prayer,'
'Watch, . . . and pray always.' A connection with the divine
agency every moment is essential to our progress. We may have
had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we
are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never do to
cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place
ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter
rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our
own
door."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 508.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is God the sole source of spiritual life and growth?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies, vol.
1, pp. 181-184.
79
V IA
f//
41;
"The garden of the heart must be cultivated. The soil niust be broken up
by repentance."
Education,
p. 111.
LESSON 10 September 2-8
Conditions for
Receiving the
Latter Ram
"Repent ye therefore, and be
converted, that your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord; and he shall
send Jesus Christ, which before was
preached unto you: whom the heaven
must receive until the times of
restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all his
holy prophets since the world began"
(Acts 3:19-21).
As in the days of Peter, today the
spiritual refreshing of the Holy Spirit
depends upon the preparation of the
people of God. "Repent ye
therefore," said Peter, "and be
converted." And when this full
conversion takes place, the Lord will
not withhold anymore the fulfillment
of His promise of showering upon us
the power of His Spirit in the latter
rain.
The latter rain is indispensable for
the finishing of God's work. It would
be well for us to read again what was
written about the relationship
between the loud cry and the
righteousness of Christ, and how our
people delayed unnecessarily the
coming of Jesus by not receiving that
message more promptly in 1888.
"The time of test is just upon us, for
the loud cry of the third angel has
already begun in the revelation of the
righteousness of Christ, the
sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the
beginning of the light of the angel
whose glory shall fill the whole
earth."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p.
363. This was published in the
Review
and Herald
on November 22, 1892.
And the servant of the Lord has this
comment on what happened in 1888:
"An unwillingness to yield up
preconceived opinions, and to accept
this truth, lay at the foundation of a
large share of the opposition
manifested at Minneapolis against the
Lord's message. . . . By exciting that
opposition Satan succeeded in
shutting away from our people, in a
great measure, the special power of
the Holy Spirit that God longed to
impart to them. The enemy prevented
them from obtaining that efficiency
which might have been theirs in
carrying the truth to the world, as the
apostles proclaimed it after the day of
Pentecost. The light that is to lighten
the whole earth with its glory was
resisted, and by the action of our own
brethren has been in a great degree
kept away from the world."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, pp. 234, 235.
Let us not repeat that mistake today.
Let us prepare our lives for the
reception of the great power of
heaven, and let us rise together to
proclaim the glorious message of the
righteousness of Christ.
•
In this lesson we shall study the
necessary preparation.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Insistent in Prayer
(Luke 11:13)
2.
Repentance and Conversion
(Acts 3:19)
3.
Obedience
(Acts 5:32)
4.
Willingness to Witness
(Acts 1:8)
5.
Unity
(Acts 2:1)
6.
Reception and Belief
(Acts 2:41; 4:4)
Conditions for Receiving
the Latter Rain
LESSON 10
❑
Sunday
September 2
Part 1
How only can we expect to receive the latter rain?
INSISTENT
IN PRAYER
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13).
If we ask fervently for something, it is because we appreciate
it, we feel our need of it, and we are ready to receive it.
What does Jesus encourage every Christian to do? Matt.
7:7.
Why is it blessed to hunger and thirst after righteousness?
Matt. 5:6.
"If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever
the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is
seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension
and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the
divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity
of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its
train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plentitude.
"Since this [the Holy Spirit] is the means by which we are to
receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the
Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concern-
ing it?"—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 50.
"We are not to trust to the ordinary working of providence. We
must pray that God will unseal the fountain of the water of life.
And we must ourselves receive of the living water. Let us, with
contrite hearts, pray most earnestly that now, in the time of the
latter rain, the showers of grace may fall upon us. At every
meeting we attend our prayers should ascend, that at this very
time God will impart warmth and moisture to our souls."—
Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 509.
"The Holy Spirit will come to all who are begging for the bread
of life to give to their neighbors."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 90.
THINK IT THROUGH
Where does one have to go to satisfy his hunger and thirst
for righteousness? How does he get filled?
"The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the
assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there
is personal labor for souls, are God's appointed opportunities
for giving the early and the latter
rain."—Testimonies to Minis-
ters,
p. 508.
FURTHER STUDY
Gospel Workers,
pp. 288, 289.
82
Conditions for Receiving
. the Latter Rain
LESSON 10
❑
Monday
September 3
Part 2
How did the apostle Peter express a condition of receiving
REPENTANCE
the Holy Spirit?
AND CONVERSION
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be
blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the pres-
ence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19, RSV).
Peter points out that repentance and conversion will bring
forgiveness of sins and times of refreshing. God sends rest to
the weary, peace to the troubled, a surge of new life to those
who are exhausted, whenever they recognize their sinfulness
and turn to Him for forgiveness. There is no peace like the peace
which Jesus gives. (See John 14:27.)
How important is conversion to the Christian? Matt. 18:3.
"Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former
rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus
provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by
the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be
bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are
making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the
human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be con-
tinually going forward. Every individual must realize his own
necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and
cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession
and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of
themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. . .. But
there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former
rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will
receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in
the
exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not
recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain.
It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern
or receive
it."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 507.
"There are some who, instead of wisely improving present
opportunities, are idly waiting for some special season of
spiritual refreshing by which their ability to enlighten others will
be greatly increased. They neglect present duties and
privileges, and allow their light to burn dim, while they look
forward to a time when, without any effort on their part, they will
be made the recipients of special blessing, by which they will be
transformed and fitted for service."The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 54.
THINK IT THROUGH
What happens when a person is converted?
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 54-56.
83
Conditions for Receiving
the Latter Rain
LESSON 10
❑
Tuesday
September 4
Part 3
What does Peter say is a condition of receiving the Holy
OBEDIENCE
Spirit into the life?
"We are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the
Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him"
(Acts 5:32).
The context of this verse indicates that Peter was telling the
Jewish leaders that they were a disobedient group, and so the
Holy Spirit was not with them. No wonder they were "cut to the
heart" (v. 33)!
Ideally, there is a close connection between the church and
the Holy Spirit; so a lie to the church is a lie to the Holy Spirit
(Acts 5:3), and an action of the church is in fact an act of the Holy
Spirit (Acts 15:28). But all this is dependent on absolute obedi-
ence on the part of the members.
What is implicit in obedience, according to Peter? 1 Peter
1:14, 22. According to Paul? 2 Cor. 10:5.
THINK IT THROUGH
Christ and the Holy Spirit come to our lives in order to guide
us and rule our thoughts, plans, and acts according to the will of
God. As soon as the Spirit comes to us, He begins to guide us. If
we gladly and willingly obey, we make it possible for the Spirit to
remain in us, becoming our Lord. The life begins to be cleansed
from all unrighteousness and defilement, and we become
happy media to convey the good news to others who come in
contact with us. But if we are not willing to surrender self, and
we ignore the overtures of the Spirit, and we want to use Him
instead of His guiding us, He is grieved and departs from us.
"Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church,
and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples.
But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are
many who believe and profess to claim the Lord's promise; they
talk
about
Christ and
about
the Holy Spirit, yet receive no bene-
fit. They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled
by the divine agencies. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit
is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in His people 'to will
and to do of His good pleasure.' Phil. 2:13. But many will not
submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why
they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait
humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the
Spirit given."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 672.
How does the Christian gain freedom by surrendering every
thought to the obedience of Christ?.
FURTHER STUDY
Counsels to Teachers,
pp. 359-361.
84
Conditions for Receiving
the Latter Rain
LESSON 10
❑
Wednesday
September 5
Part 4
What is the privilege that may be enjoyed by every Chris-
WILLINGNESS tian?
TO WITNESS
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Jesus called His disciples and then sent them to preach. (See
Luke 10:1.) He endowed them with power so that they per-
formed miracles (v. 9). They came back rejoicing and reported
their successes. (See v. 17.) But Jesus warned them that they
were not to take pride in their victories over the evil one. Rather,
they were to rejoice that their names were written in heaven.
(See v. 20.)
The Christian is empowered from on high to witness. He does
not claim any credit for himself. But it is his privilege to be used
of God, and it is the close connection he has with his Master that
gives him joy and satisfaction.
How did Jesus perform His ministry as one who was sent?
John 4:34; 9:4.
Jesus represented His Father completely. He spoke His words
and performed His deeds. There was an urgency about His work
that sets for us an example of supreme dedication.
The purpose of God in the outpouring of the Spirit in the latter
rain is to bestow the needed power to His children that they may
witness for Christ and finish the proclamation of the gospel in
the world. Only as we fervently pray for the showers of grace will
they come. The finishing of God's work on earth is one of the
prime objectives of the Christian life. This gives urgency to our
prayers for the latter rain.
"The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the
whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an
enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to
be laborers together with God. When we have entire, whole-
hearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recog-
nize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but
this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not
laborers together with
God."—Christian Service,
p. 253.
(Re-
view and Herald,
July 21, 1896.)
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it that some people are afraid to witness for Christ?
FURTHER STUDY
Early Writings,
pp. 278, 279.
85
Conditions for Receiving
the Latter Rain
LESSON 10
❑
Thursday
September 6
Part 5
What special spiritual condition of the disciples made it
UNITY
possible for God to answer their prayers for the outpouring of
His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost?
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were
all with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1).
Jesus had told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem, and they
waited. But they did not spend their time in idleness. They were
"continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." (Luke
24:53). They spent time in prayer, their faith increasing day by
day as they contemplated the work of their ascended Lord. They
reviewed their past experiences, confessed their failures, and
pleaded for forgiveness. They wanted to be fit to be witnesses,
and they drew closer to one another as they sought to draw
closer to God. Very soon they forgot their differences, their
conflicting amibitions. Now in "one accord," they were ready
for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (See
The Acts of the
Apostles,
pp. 35-37.)
What kind of unity did Jesus pray His disciples might enjoy?
John 17:21.
"He longs to pour upon us His Holy Spirit in rich measure, and
He bids us clear the way by self-renunciation. When self is
surrendered to God, our eyes will be opened to see the stum-
bling stones which our un-Christlikeness has placed in the way
of others. All these God bids us remove. He says: 'Confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed.' James
5:16."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 43.
"When one is fully emptied of self, when every false god is
cast out of the soul, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the
Spirit of Christ."—Gospel
Workers,
p. 287.
"There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting
self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon
his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God."—
Christian Service,
p. 254.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I empty myself of self?
:'No man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for
Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul
will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property.
Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of
myself, my weak, un-Christlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise
me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of
Thy love can flow through my
soul."—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 159.
86
Conditions for Receiving
the Latter Rain
LESSON 10
❑
Friday
September 7
Parl 6
RECEPTION
AND BELIEF
What was the basis of acceptance into the church?
"They that gladly received his [Peter's] word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls."
"Many of them which heard the word believed; and the
number of the men was about five thousand" (Acts 2:41; 4:4).
The message of the preacher must be compared with Scrip-
ture so as to confirm its truth. It must then be believed and
applied in the life. (See Acts 17:11, 12 for the example of the
Bereans.) Only in this way can one become a true member of the
church and a recipient of the Holy Spirit.
How does James emphasize the importance of faith?
James 1:6, 7.
"Men, women, and youth, God requires you to possess moral
courage, steadiness of purpose, fortitude and perseverance,
minds that cannot take the assertions of another, but which will
investigate for themselves before receiving or rejecting, that
will study and weigh evidence, and take it to the Lord in
prayer."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, p. 130.
"Let Christians put away all dissension and give themselves
to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the
promised blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit
in the days of the apostles was 'the former rain,' and glorious
was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant"—
Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 21.
What other characteristic does James say is important?
James
5:7, 8.
The Bible writers recognize a characteristic of impatience in
man, and therefore they stress patience. (See Heb. 10:35-37.)
The fact is that it is God who has to be especially patient with us.
He is long-suffering, but His purposes will not be long delayed.
"We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit
as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it
at that time, we need it more to-day.... Without the Spirit's aid,
our efforts to present divine truth will be in vain."—Ellen G.
White,
Review and Herald,
August 25, 1896.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is the church ready to receive a large influx of members?
What should it do to be ready?
87
LESSON 11 September 9-15
TheFinishing of
God's Work
"And this gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations; and then
shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14).
The end cannot come until the
gospel has been "preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations"
(Matt. 24:14). A series of events of
great magnitude will take place before
the end: the shaking and reformation,
the sealing, and the latter rain.
According to the Bible and the spirit of
prophecy, along with all these things,
and simultaneously with them, the
people of God will undertake their
evangelistic work with special strength
and fervor.
Under the powerful outpouring of
the latter rain multitudes will be
admonished, and everyone true of
heart will accept the gospel invitation
and will receive the seal of the living
God. But many will refuse to accept
the truth and will receive the mark of
the beast , becoming enemies of God
and of His people.
As the investigative judgment ends
in the court of heaven, probation will
close for the living. At that moment the
time of trouble begins, as well as the
outpouring of the seven last plagues.
Also the preaching of the gospel will
have been completed according to the
many promises and prophecies of the
Bible. After a short time of trouble the
Lord will at last descend from heaven,
bringing to an end all sorrow, pain,
and un righteousness.
God could have dispensed with
human beings in proclaiming the
truth. He could have used angels,
who, with a swift flash of glory, could
have done the job in a very short time.
But He reserved to men and women
saved by His grace this honorable and
beautiful task because He wanted to
honor us by associating us with Him.
Also He planned to let us enjoy the
happiness of seeing souls saved by the
blood of Jesus. He implants in every
born-again Christian an impelling
desire to share his faith.
"No sooner does one come to
Christ than there is born inbis heart a
desire to make known to others what a
precious friend he has found in Jesus;
the saving and sanctifying truth cannot
be shut up in his heart."—Steps
to
Christ,
p. 78.
We are going to study in this lesson
the promises of a finished work, the
kind of message that has to be given at
this time, the work that will be done by
the Holy Spirit using human
instrumentalities, and the two great
conditions needed to finiSh the work.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Promises and Prophesies
(Rev. 14:6-11)
2.
A Time for a Clear Message
(Isa. 60:1, 2)
3.
A Fast and Miraculous Work
(Rom. 9:28)
4.
The Latter Rain and the Finishing
of God's Work
(Rev. 18:1-4)
5.
First Necessary Condition:
Consecration
(Joshua 3:5)
6.
Second Necessary Condition:
Witnessing
(Mark 16:15)
The Finishing of God's Work
LESSON 11
❑
Sunday
September 9
Part 1
PROMISES AND
PROPHECIES
THINK IT THROUGH
What did the seer of Patmos behold sweeping across the
heavens? Rev. 14:6-11.
This is a prophecy written in no uncertain words. The prophet
saw what was going to happen in the last days. The first angel
was proclaiming the message "with a loud voice"—a voice loud
enough to make it possible for every nation and kindred and
tongue and people to hear him.
What other emphatic promise and prophecy did Jesus pro-
nounce? Matt. 24:14.
In spite of the delay resulting from human lukewarmness and
lack of both preparation and consecrated activity, the day will
come when in the providence of God the work will be finished
and "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world" (Matt. 24:14). "God is in the work, and no man can
prevent its ultimate success."—Prophets
and Kings,
p. 645.
Read and analyze another prophetic assurance of a
finished work in the time of the end. Rev. 10:5-7.
The angel swore "that there should be no more delay, but that
in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh
angel [our time], the mystery of God [the plan of redemption], as
he announced to his servants the prophets, should be fulfilled"
(verses 6, 7, RSV).
When God promises something, He has the power and the
willingness to fulfill that promise. So many times we have the
tendency to get discouraged about the finishing of the
evangelistic task, especially in view of the population explosion.
But the work is God's, not ours. And we should not engage in
calculations lacking faith, but trust His Word, knowing that no
promise of God has failed or will fail.
"The message loses none of its force in the angel's onward
flight, for John sees it increasing in strength and power until the
whole earth is lightened with its glory. The course of God's
commandment-keeping people is onward, ever onward. The
message of truth that we bear must go to nations, tongues, and
peoples. Soon it will go with a loud voice, and the earth will be
lightened with its glory. Are we preparing for this great outpour-
ing of the Spirit of
God?"—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 383.
"The work will surely go forward, whether we advance with
it or not. It will be victorious, but the question is: Shall we be
victorious with
it?"—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 571.
FURTHER STUDY
Early Writings,
p. 277.
90
The Finishing of God's Work
LESSON 11
❑
Monday
September 10
Part 2
A TIME FOR A
CLEAR MESSAGE
THINK IT THROUGH
Read Isaiah 60:1, 2
At the precise moment when "darkness shall cover the earth,
and gross darkness the people," the command of God was:
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee."
We are living in the darkest hours of history. Modern theology
has done away with the main truths of the Bible and has per-
verted the gospel of Jesus. Satan is confusing and deceiving the
multitudes that are hungry for the bread of life. For this special
time God commands His people to preach a clearer and more
direct message.
What is one of the messages that will be proclaimed before
Jesus returns? Rev. 18:1-4.
"This scripture points forward to a time when the announce-
ment of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of
Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional
mention of the corruptions which have been entering the vari-
ous organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message
was first given, in the summer of 1844."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
p. 603.
As the Spirit came upon Elijah, moving him to give a strong
message of rebuke, so "the message of the third angel will be
proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest
power, the Lord will work through humble instruments.... The
sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing
the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of
spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal
power—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the
people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen
who have never heard words like these."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
p. 606.
This message will arouse persecution. The people of God will
go through a time of temporary consternation and dismay,
thinking that their imprudent preaching has produced these
consequences. But again the Spirit of God reassures them, and
they keep on pressing forward with their prominent message.
They persist until the sincere souls are rescued from the sophis-
tries of Babylon and the work is finished amid a great manifesta-
tion of the power of God.
How can I develop in my life the moral stamina I will need in
the time of persecution to proclaim boldly the open message
of God?
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 603-610.
91
The Finishing of God's Work
LESSON 11
❑
Tuesday
September 11
Part 3
A FAST AND
MIRACULOUS WORK
What assurance do we have of a fast and miraculous work?
"For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness:
because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth"
(Rom. 9:28).
"I saw that the quick work that God was doing on the earth
would soon be cut short in righteousness and that the messen-
gers must speed swiftly on their way to search out the scattered
flock."—Early
Writings,
p. 50.
"Through most wonderful workings of divine providence,
mountains of difficulty will be removed and cast into the sea.
The message that means so much to the dwellers upon the earth
will be heard and understood. Men will know what is truth.
Onward and still onward the work will advance until the whole
earth shall have been warned, and then shall the end come."—
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 96.
"The light of truth will shine forth in clear, strong rays, and, as
in the time of the apostles, many souls will turn from error to
truth. The earth will be lighted with the glory of the Lord."—
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 46.
What important providences will God work to speed up the
proclamation of His truth?
"I saw that God has His agents, even among the rulers. And
some of them will yet be converted to the truth. They are now
acting the part that God would have them. When Satan works
through his agents, propositions are made, that, if carried out,
would impede the work of God and produce great evil. The good
angels move upon these agents of God to oppose such proposi-
tions with strong reasons, which Satan's agents cannot resist. A
few of God's agents will have power to bear down a great mass
of evil. Thus the work will go on until the third message has done
its work, and at the loud cry of the third angel, these agents will
have an opportunity to receive the truth, and some of them will
be converted, and endure with the saints through the time of
trouble."—Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 203.
"The efforts made to retard the progress of truth will serve to
extend it. The excellence of truth is more clearly seen from every
successive point from which it may be viewed. Error requires
disguise and concealment. It clothes itself in angel robes, and
every manifestation of its real character lessens its chance of
success."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 454.
How can I be ready for the Spirit to use me in this last stage
of the onward march of truth?
The Great Controversy,
pp. 611, 612.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
92
The Finishing
of God's Work
LESSON 11
❑
Wednesday
September 12
Part 4
Read carefully Revelation 18:1-4.
THE LATTER
RAIN AND THE
Can you imagine this world as a huge, new city whose estab-
FINISHING OF
lishment has been carefully planned in advance? For months
GOD'S WORK
there has been no light, no electric power. The homes and
public buildings are being erected, and the electricians are also
working hard to set the installations for light and power. When
all this work is ready, after many weeks of hard toil, finally one
day the signal is given to the power plant. The connection is
made, and all of a sudden the whole city is inundated with light,
both the streets and the houses.
Similarly the hard work of the children of God that is going on
right now in the world to sow the seed of truth—by lay members,
colporteurs, pastors and evangelists, using the spoken word,
radio and television, and especially the printed page—is like the
task of the electrical engineers and technicians who are prepar-
ing the city for a flood of light.
When the latter rain descends from heaven on the children of
God, the whole earth will be quickly lighted with the truth by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
How does the spirit of prophecy present this thought?
"The message will be carried not so much by argument as by
the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have
been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring
up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary
workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds
were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehend-
ing the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light
penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the
honest children of God sever the bands which have held them.
Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay
them now. Truth is more precious than
all
besides. Not-
withstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large
number take their stand upon the Lord's side."—The
Great
Controversy,
p. 612.
How does Zechariah refer to the only power that can enable
the church to finish her appointed task? Zech. 4:6.
With the assurance we have of the latter rain, with the cer-
tainty of Christ's constant companionship in our labors, with
the wonderful promises spread all over the Bible like the stars in
heaven, we should prepare as a people and stand up as one man
to do the work in the power of the Spirit of God.
THINK IT THROUGH
How am I contributing now to filling the earth with light?
93
The Finishing of God's Work
LESSON 11
❑
Thursday
September 13
Part 5
On the eve of Israel's great test of reliance on God's
FIRST NECESSARY power—the crossing of the Jordan—what divine command
CONDITION: did Joshua convey to the people? Joshua
3:5.
CONSECRATION
For "sanctify" the NASB reads "consecrate."
Only a miracle of the grace and power of God will finish the
work and allow modern Israel to cross the Jordan into the
Promised Land. But for the Lord to perform the miracle in us, we
need to consecrate ourselves. First came consecration, then
came the miracle.
We need to collaborate with God so that He can finish the
work He has begun in us—and He is able and willing to do it. We
need to reject all unrighteousness and to become partakers of
the divine nature. We need to receive, by faith and surrender,
the sanctifying righteousness of Christ—His character restored
in us.
God cannot pour out the Holy Spirit on a worldly and uncon-
secrated people. He cannot fill contaminated vessels with His
Spirit. A thorough preparation needs to be done. "Sanctify
yourselves" is the command of the hour.
What did Jesus do so that His disciples may be sanctified?
John 17:19.
Jesus has set us an example. Just as He dedicated Himself to
the work of redemption, so we are to be dedicated to the truth,
living it and preaching it.
The word "sanctify" comes from two Latin words which mean
"to make holy." To sanctify, therefore, has the added connota-
tion of moral uprightness, spiritual thinking, and issuing in a life
of goodness and godliness. A selfish life is not part of the
process of sanctification.
Too much time has elapsed. The hour is late. Finally the
opportunity has come for us to cross the Jordan. Before we
can
finish
the work in the world, under the power of God,
He has to
finish
it in our own hearts.
The consummation of the work of the gospel is primarily a
divine work. God has promised it, and He has ample resources
to accomplish it. But in order to carry out His marvelous design,
the Lord uses human beings as instruments. The three angels of
Revelation 14 represent God's people on the march, engaged in
the fulfillment of the gospel commission.
The first condition that the Most High requires of His people in
order to make bare His holy arm is that they consecrate them-
selves to God and His work.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does it mean for me to consecrate myself?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 6, pp. 436-438.
94
The Finishing of God's Work
LESSON 11
❑
Friday
September 14
Part 6
What command did Jesus give His disciples?
SECOND NECESSARY
CONDITION:
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
WITNESSING
creature" (Mark 16:15).
No amount of consecration can replace work, the witnessing
activity. No amount of prayer and study of the Bible can be
substituted for the actual use of our opportunities to testify for
Christ. Yet we are never alone in working. (See Mark 16:20.)
In what other words does Jesus express our responsibility?
Matt. 20:4.
It is interesting to note that Jesus promises wages for what-
ever we do for Him. These wages are always fair and sufficient
for our needs (v. 13) if not altogether generous.
In His wisdom God has established the fact that missionary
activity is an indispensable part of our Christian experience. As
growing Christian children, we need not only food (the study of
the Word) and spiritual oxygen (prayer) but also exercise (work
for Christ).
"Love to Jesus will be manifested in a desire to work as He
worked for the blessing and uplifting of humanity. . . .
"The Saviour's life on earth was not a life of ease and devotion
to Himself, but He toiled with persistent, earnest, untiring effort
for the salvation of lost mankind. . . .
"So those who are the partakers of the grace of Christ will be
ready to make any sacrifice, that others for whom He died may
share the heavenly gift."—Steps
to Christ,
pp. 77, 78.
What are the benefits of working for others?
"The effort to bless others will react in blessings upon our-
selves. . . .
"The Spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability,
and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and
happiness to its possessor. . .
"The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing
the very work which Christ has enjoined upon
us."—Steps to
Christ,
p. 79, 80.
.
There can be no symmetrical development of character with-
out unselfish work for Christ.
What union will be necessary to finish God's work?
"The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the
men and women comprising our church membership rally to
the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and
church officers."—Gospel
Workers,
p. 352.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I organize my activities so that I can devote more
time to witnessing?
FURTHER STUDY
Christian Service,
pp. 65-71.
95
LESSON 12 September 16-22
"Therefore whosoever heareth
these sayings of mine, and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man,
which built his house upon a rock: and
the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat
upon that house; and it fell not: for it
was founded upon a rock" (Matt. 7:24,
25).
These last two lessons are of vital
importance. Just a theoretical
knowledge of the tremendous events
of this last hour of earth's history will
not be enough to carry us safely
through the time of trouble, to meet
Jesus with great joy, and to be able to
enter with Him through the pearly
gates.
We need a preparation. The rain will
descend, the winds will blow, the
flood will come. Our house should be
built upon the Rock of Ages. We need
to build right now a relationship with
Jesus that will enable us to receive the
seal of the living God, the fullness of
the Spirit. We must reach a stage of
victory over sin and of righteousness
imparted by Christ that makes us able
to stand without a mediator during the
time of trouble and be received at last
into our heavenly home.
"My brethren, do you realize that
your own salvation, as well as the
destiny of other souls, depends upon
the preparation you now make for the
trial before us? Have you that intensity
of zeal, that piety and devotion, which
will enable you to stand when
opposition shall be brought against
you? ... The time that so many are now
allowing to go to waste should be
devoted to the charge that God has
given us of preparing for the
approaching
crisis."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 716, 717.
"I saw that God's people are on the
enchanted ground, and that some
have lost nearly all sense of the
shortness of time and the worth of the
sou I
."—Early Writings,
p. 120.
"The people need to be aroused in
regard to the dangers of the present
time. The watchmen are
asleep."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 715.
Our willingness to obey should
cause us to take whatever steps are
necessary to be really ready. In these
final lessons we plan to study the
specific factors of this spiritual
preparation.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Time With God
(Mark 6:30, 31)
2.
Alone With God
(Mark 1:35)
3.
Daily Dying
(1 Cor. 15:31)
4.
Study of the Scripture
(John 6:63)
5.
Prayer and Communion
(Luke 18:1)
6.
Christ in You
(Col. 1:27)
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
LESSON 12
❑
Sunday
September 16
Part 1
"The apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus,
TIME WITH and told him all things, both what they had done, and what
GOD
they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves
apart into a desert place, and rest a while" (Mark 6:30, 31).
After the disciples had worked hard for a time, the Saviour
invited them to retire to a quiet place with Him. They needed to
enjoy not only a little rest but also a season of communion with
Him. In the closeness and privacy of the Master with the disci-
ples, He could communicate freely with them, correct their
mistakes, encourage them, and strengthen them for their future
work. As disciples, we too need the refreshing company of Him
who is the Source of all power, comfort, and wisdom.
Every child of God has a vital need to enjoy the wonderful
companionship of Jesus in the precious moments of private
communion with Him. Amidst the hurry and worry of life, even in
the work of God, every Christian needs enough time dedicated
to his private devotions.
What was the loving reproach Jesus addressed to the busy
and concerned Martha? Luke 10:41, 42.
Every one of us needs "that good part, which shall not be
taken away" from him, namely, to sit quietly at the feet of Jesus,
like Mary, and commune with Him. He is the only fountain of
courage, strength, and victory.
A few hurried minutes every morning are not enough. A few
minutes each day are better than nothing. But in order to feel
the presence of God and hear His voice completely, many be-
lievers feel they need at least one half to one hour spent in quiet
communion with the heavenly Father and the Saviour.
This may mean that we need to seta special program in which
we deliberately eliminate many nonvital things to make room for
our personal devotions, because this is the basis of our spiritual
strength and our Christian experience.
THINK IT THROUGH
What ought to be a major theme of our meditations?
"It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in
contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by
point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the
closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us,
our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be
quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit.
If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of peni-
tence and humiliation at the foot of the cross."—The
Desire of
Ages,
p. 83.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
p. 622.
98
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
LESSON 12
❑
Monday
September 17
Part 2
On one occasion, what did Jesus do in order to have time for
ALONE WITH GOD private meditation?
"In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went
out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed"
(Mark 1:35).
Family worship is a necessity and a sound basis for a happy
home. Worship at church or in groups is also a great source of
spiritual strength and is indispensable to our Christian growth.
But our private devotions alone with God are also a necessity.
Each of us has some specific items to discuss with our Father in
private.
In private devotion we do not need to be worried about time. If
we need to confess our faults and sins, express our love to God,
unburden our souls of grief and sorrow, pray for victory over
definite weaknesses or sins, or intercede before the Lord on
behalf of unconverted souls, we can do all these things only
without hurry in our direct and personal contact with the throne
of grace. God is never tired of hearing us.
What happened to Saul after his vision on the Damascus
road? Acts 9:9.
"For three days Saul was 'without sight, and neither did eat
nor drink.' . .
"These days of close self-examination and of heart humilia-
tion were spent in lonely seclusion. . . .
"During the long hours when Saul was shut in with God alone,
he recalled many of the passages of Scripture referring to the
first advent of Christ. . . .
"As Saul yielded himself fully to the convicting power of the
Holy Spirit, he saw the mistakes of his life and recognized the
far-reaching claims of the law of God."—The
Acts of the Apos-
tles,
pp. 118, 119.
Where did Elijah hear "a still small voice" speaking to his
heart? 1 Kings 19:12.
This is the voice of the Holy Spirit that every child of God
, needs to hear. The Spirit can speak to our hearts better when
everything is quiet and we are alone with God.
"We need more study, more earnest meditation and commu-
nion with Christ. We need to listen for the still small voice, and to
rest by faith in the love of Christ. We should have a much more
healthful experience, and become much more vigorous
Christians."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
346.
THINK IT THROUGH
What can I do to spend more time alone with God?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 2, pp. 578, 581, 582.
99
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
LESSON 12
❑
Tuesday
September 18
Part 3
How did Paul describe his Christian experience?
DAILY DYING
"I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31).
Although Paul is referring primarily to his life of constant
danger and persecution, these words can also have a spiritual
application of a relationship with God. (See Gal. 2:20.)
It is our privilege to renew our Christian experience daily.
Every day God has provided a fresh supply of His grace. Every
day there awaits us a renewal of our personal contact with
Heaven. Every day we may die again to sin and to the world.
Every day we may rejoice to renounce self and surrender to
Christ so that He may take over in the leadership and rulership
of our lives.
It is not enough to take sufficient time to be alone with God
one day. The following day we may have the same joy. As we eat
food every day to have physical strength, so also we eat spiritual
food every day. Thus we keep a close contact with Jesus.
"Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon
God will be overcome by temptation. . . . Satan is planning to
take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of charac-
ter, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects.
Only through realizing our own weakness and looking stead-
fastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."—The
Desire of Ages,
p.
382.
What is the only way of attaining perfection of character?
1 John 3:6.
"So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more
dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to
direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may
attain to perfection of character."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 123.
How is our need of a continual contact with God further
stressed? John 15:5.
"Walk continually in the light of God. Meditate day and night
upon His character. Then you will see His beauty and rejoice in
His goodness. Your heart will glow with a sense of His love. You
will be uplifted as if borne by everlasting arms."—The
Ministry
of Healing,
p. 514.
THINK IT THROUGH
What should be the object of my daily meditations?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 273.
100
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
LESSON 12
❑
Wednesday
September 19
PART 4
Of what importance are the words of Jesus?
STUDY OF THE
SCRIPTURE
"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they
are life" (John 6:63).
THINK IT THROUGH
The daily study of and meditation on the words of Jesus—and,
by extension, the Word of God in general—is of utmost impor-
tance. Christ's words are spirit and life, and by feeding on them
we receive spiritual life that only they can impart.
What, according to Jesus, does a study of the Scriptures
reveal? John 5:39.
We have eternal life in the Scriptures because they testify of
Jesus. From the very first page to the last, the Bible contains a
clear presentation of Him.
How can we abide in Jesus and have all the benefits that
come from that experience? John 15:7.
It is evident that the way in which we can abide in Jesus and
have Him abide in us is through what He calls "My words."
When we are in a prayerful spirit and a teachable mo9c1 with the
Bible open before us, we are in contact with our heavenly
Father. We hear His voice speaking to us. Through His Holy
Spirit the Lord points out our needs to us and also our weak-
nesses. He encourages us with His wonderful promises, full of
power, through which we are made "partakers of the divine
nature." He strengthens our souls and takes us by the hand to
make us victorious.
Who only will be able to stand through the last great conflict?
"None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of
the Bible will stand through the last great conflict."—The
Great
Controversy,
pp. 593, 594.
"Only those who have been diligent students of the Scrip-
tures and who have received the love of the truth will be
shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world
captive."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 625.
"When the testing time shall come, those who have made
God's word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is
no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees;
but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain
unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage."—
The Great Controversy,
p. 602
How can I make my personal study of the Word of God such
that it will allow me to stand firm in the great crisis we have to
face soon?
101
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
LESSON 12
❑
Thursday
September 20
Part 5
Why did Jesus tell the parable of the widow and the judge?
PRAYER AND
COMMUNION
"He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought
always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).
There can be no genuine Christian life without prayer. In fact,
our spiritual experience will be as strong as the intensity and the
steadfastness of our prayer life.
Jacob spent a night of struggle with God in earnest prayer,
humbling his soul. He sought the assurance of forgiveness and
the protection and the grace of God, and a miracle was wrought
in his life. Even his name was changed. (See Gen. 32:24-28.)
Jesus agonized in prayer as a man in Gethsemane. God gave
Him the victory and enabled Him to put the golden seal on the
plan of salvation by giving His life. In his trip to Mount Moriah
Abraham spent the days of his journey and the nights of rest in
humble and fervent communion with God when the Lord re-
quested the life of his son, and he was able to stand the most
terrible ordeal of his life. (See Genesis 22.) Not one of us today,
as children of God, can afford to lose the power of "the effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man" that "availeth much" (James
5:16).
"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not
that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are,
but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring
God down to us, but brings us up to
Him."—Steps to Christ,
p. 93.
What are some of the conditions of an efficient prayer life?
(1) To feel our need of God's help (Matt. 5:6). (2) To eliminate
any known sin from our life. (Ps. 66:18). (3) To pray with faith
(Mark 11:24). (4) To pray with a spirit of love and forgiveness
(Matt. 6:12). (5) To pray with perseverance (Rom. 12:12).
"There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder
you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between
Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where
prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for
communion with God will be seen in prayer meeting. . . .
"We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must
not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. It is
impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected."—
Steps to Christ,
p. 98.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is prayer the life of the soul?
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"The Privilege of Prayer," pp. 93-104.
102
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-1
LESSON 12
❑
Friday
September 21
Part 6
How does the apostle Paul sum up the very essence of a
CHRIST IN YOU victorious Christian experience?
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of
glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).
The very heart of the mystery of godliness is expressed in a
simple, short, and wonderful formula: "Christ in you." The en-
trance of Christ into our hearts and His permanent dwelling
there is the great secret of a completely wholesome spiritual
condition, of a Christlike life. This is the crux of sanctification:
Christ and His Holy Spirit abiding in our hearts, the Rulers of our
life through an attitude of faith and complete surrender of our
will. This results in a blessed identification of our life with Christ
and of our will with His will.
How did Jesus illustrate the close relationship that should
exist between man and Christ, and the blessed results? John
15:4-7.
The means of grace whereby the soul is brought into such
close and vital connection with Christ as to produce the fruits of
a totally converted and victorious life are these:
faith
in Christ
and in the Word of God,
obedience, surrender
of the will to God,
study of the Word,
and
meditation
and
secret prayer.
What is the process that effects the identification of our will
with the will of God? Heb. 12:2.
"By beholding we are to become changed.... It is by faith in
the Son of God that transformation takes place in the character,
and the child of wrath becomes the child of God.... In becom-
ing a man of obedience to God, he has the mind of Christ, and
the will of God becomes his will. . . .
"Continual devotion and piety bring the man in such close
relation to Christ that he has the mind of Christ. He is one with
Christ."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p. 338.
"When we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need
cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the
soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and
they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God."—
The Desire of Ages,
p. 466.
THINK IT THROUGH
What can I do to make my experience with Christ more real
and permanent?
FURTHER STUDY
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.
7, p. 909.
103
LESSON 13 September 23-29
f r e
"I come as a thief. Blessed is he that
watcheth" (Rev. 16:15).
This scripture has a double
application. First, the end of the
investigative judgment and of the
close of probation will come sooner
than many expect, and many people
will be caught unprepared. Second,
for every human being the end of
probation and grace comes at the day
of his death, and none is sure of his life
for one hour.
In our past lesson we saw that the
basis of the preparation we need for
the coming crisis is our devotional life:
enough time dedicated every day,
preferably in the early hours of the
morning, to be alone with God and
with Christ in the study of the Word
and in secret prayer.
As a necessary corollary, this
devotional life that puts us in a very
close connection with Christ will
produce in our lives the following
elements: complete surrender,
cleansing from sin, victory over
weaknesses and defects of character,
obedience, and a diligent application
to witnessing. And these are the
subjects we shall review in order to
complete the study of how to be
prepared for the coming crisis.
To try to obtain the necessary
preparation when we are already in
the midst of the crisis will be too late.
The five foolish girls who went to buy
oil during the brief time of waiting
discovered that unfortunately they
arrived too late at the gates of the
house in which the wedding had
already begun, and they were not
admitted.
Now is the time to be prepared.
Now is the day of salvation.
Now is the time to watch and to put
on the garments of the righteousness
of Christ. Now is the time to put forth
every effort to attain, by the grace of
God, the spiritual stature necessary
for heaven.
The time for a happy reunion in the
kingdom of God will soon come. But
while we are still on the road to
heaven, we need to work out our
"salvation with fear and trembling"
(Phil. 2:12). It depends completely on
our choice whether in that day we shall
find ourselves ready for translation, or
whether God will not let us into His
eternal kingdom.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Self-denial
(Matt. 16:24)
2.
Cleansing From Sin
(Matt. 9:2)
3.
Total Victory
(Jude 24)
4.
Obedience
(Matt. 3:7, 8)
5.
A Work of Witnessing
(Matt. 21:28)
6.
A Wonderful Reunion
(Rev. 7:9, 10)
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
LESSON 13
❑
Sunday
September 23
Part 1
What must the Christian do if he wants to be a true disciple
SELF-DENIAL of Jesus?
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me" (Matt. 16:24).
The denial of self is the door of entrance to discipleship. Only
when self is crucified can Christ occupy the throne of our heart.
And self is our worst enemy. So a complete surrender of our will
to God and to Christ is a necessity for a healthful spiritual
condition.
Satan offers fame, power, riches, sensual pleasure, and the
intoxication of self-love. By the power of God and the work of
the Holy Spirit, we need to deny ourselves all these things and
others akin to them. We must crucify all of them along with the
old man and plead with Christ to occupy our heart and be our
Lord and supreme Ruler.
How does the apostle James stress the need of surrender?
James 4:7.
"Unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall
be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under
the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that
are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not neces-
sary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of
darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to
neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not
co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take posses-
sion of the heart, and will make it his abiding place."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 324.
"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the
control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of
freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery."—The
Desire of
Ages,
p. 466.
"When you give up your own will, your own wisdom, and learn
of Christ, you will find admittance into the kingdom of God. He
requires entire, unreserved surrender. Give up your life for Him
to order, mold, and fashion. Take upon your neck His yoke.
Submit to be led and taught by Him. Learn that unless you
become as a little child, you can never enter the kingdom of
heaven."—Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 110.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do I renew every day my complete surrender to Christ
in order to enable Him to work in me the miraculous transfor-
mation needed for translation?
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Talents," pp. 331, 332.
106
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
LESSON 13
❑
Monday
September 24
Part 2
What is the importance and meaning of the words of Jesus
. CLEANSING spoken to the palsied man in Matthew 9:2?
FROM SIN
"They brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:
and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy;
Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."
Read the whole story in Mark 2:1-12.
His disease was the result of a life of sin, and his pain and
anguish resulted in bitter remorse. "It was not physical restora-
tion he desired so much as relief from the burden of sin. If he
could see Jesus, and receive the assurance of forgiveness and
peace with Heaven, he would be content to live or die, accord-
ing to God's will. The cry of the dying man was Oh, that I might
come into His presence! There was no time to lose; already his
wasted flesh was showing signs of decay."—The
Desire of
Ages,
p. 267.
"The burden of despair rolls from the sick man's soul; the
peace of forgiveness rests upon his spirit, and shines out upon
his countenance. His physical pain is gone, and his whole being
is transformed.... The guilty sinner is pardoned!"—The
Desire
of Ages,
p. 268.
What is the absolute assurance given us about the cleans-
ing power of the blood of Jesus? 1 John 1:8, 9.
The cleansing of our soul from every sin through repentance
and confession and by faith in the precious blood of Jesus is the
very basis for a real preparation for the crisis. Now our Re-
deemer is interceding in our behalf in the courts of heaven. Now
He is presenting His loving sacrifice for our forgiveness. Now He
is anxious to impute to us His righteousness. Some day, very
soon, the door to opportunity will be closed; the decree will be
issued in heaven, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still"; and
the sun of mercy will set forever. God is waiting for us to ac-
knowledge our sins. He will forgive our sins as soon as we claim
His promise by faith.
Unconfessed and unforsaken sins are incompatible with a
real preparation for eternity. And even when we do not have
gross sins to confess, we need every day the imputed righteous-
ness of Christ. Every day we need the experience of repentance.
The nearer we are to God and to Christ, the more we see our
defects. Every day we need to reaffirm our faith in Jesus. This
will renew our confidence in our salvation and will give us peace
of mind and trust in the Lord.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is there a sin that cannot be forgiven, and if so, what is it?
Matt. 12:31.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"Confession," pp. 37-41.
107
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
LESSON 13
❑
Tuesday
September 25
Part 3
Who is able to give us total victory in the Christian warfare?
TOTAL VICTORY
"Unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to
present you faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and
majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever" (Jude 24).
The plan of God for our life is forgiveness accompanied by
Christian growth and victory over sin. God's requirements cor-
respond to the individual's opportunities. We who have been
blessed with great light shall be accounted for a high degree of
spiritual maturity. We shall be sealed for eternity with the seal of
the living God, which will not be put on the forehead of those
who "have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to
remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple
of every defilement."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 214.
"We shall fail often in our efforts to copy the divine pattern.
We shall often have to bow down to weep at the feet of Jesus,
because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be
discouraged; we are to pray more fervently, believe more fully,
and try again with more steadfastness to grow into the likeness
of our Lord. As we distrust our own power, we shall trust the
power of our Redeemer, and render praise to
God."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p. 337.
What relation exists between victory and complete submis-
sion?
"Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If
you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining
everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will
not, then you can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from
the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to
submit to the control of
God."—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 331.
Besides the victory over self, what other victory has God
promised us? 1 Cor. 15:54-57.
"Christ's true disciples follow Him through sore conflicts,
enduring self-denial and experiencing bitter disappointment;
but this teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they are led to
look upon it with abhorrence. Partakers of Christ's sufferings,
they are destined to be partakers of His glory."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
p. 590.
What is it that keeps the Christian striving in spite of the
hardships of the way? 1 Cor. 15:58.
Steps to Christ,
"Growing Up Into Christ," pp. 67-75.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
108
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
Lesson 13
❑
Wednesday
September 26
Part 4
OBEDIENCE
What is the natural fruit of repentance?
"When he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and
Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, 0 genera-
tion of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matt.
3:7, 8).
The Pharisees had an emotional experience of repentance,
but the emotion had not been translated into deeds.
What does Isaiah say are two characteristics which must go
together if we are to eat the good of the land? Isa. 1:19.
Willingness is sometimes present without a corresponding
capacity to do. Paul complained about this experience in his
own life. (See Rom. 7:22-24.) But he found release and victory
through Jesus Christ (v. 25).
In the day of judgment God will refuse to recognize many
professors of the faith who claim to have taught in His name and
even to have cast out demons.
While it is true that we shall be saved by faith in Jesus and
through His priceless sacrifice, it is also true that the fruits of
obedience follow authentic faith. If faith is not capable of pro-
ducing a change, it is not saving faith at all. It is dead. (See
James 2:14-23.)
"Faith and works go together, believing and doing are
blended. The Lord requires no less of the soul now, than He
required of Adam in Paradise before he fell—perfect obedience,
unblemished righteousness. The requirement of God under the
covenant of grace is just as broad as the requirement He made
in Paradise—harmony with His law, which is holy, and just, and
good. The gospel does not weaken the claims of the law; it
exalts the law and makes it honorable."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p. 373.
"While good works will not save even one soul, yet it is
impossible for even one soul to be saved without good works."
—Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 377.
"Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to
do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for
man without his cooperation. Neither say that after you have
done all you can on your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has
said, 'Without me ye can do nothing' (John 15:5). From first to
last man is to be a laborer together with
God."—Selected Mes-
sages,
bk. 1, p. 381.
THINK IT THROUGH
Which is more active in the life of a Christian—his faith or his
works?
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 1, pp. 373-382.
109
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
LESSON 13
❑
Thursday
September 27
Part 5
In what parable did Jesus teach the importance of eventual
A WORK OF obedience and a life of faith?
WITNESSING
"A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and
said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard" (Matt. 21:28). Read
to verse 32.
Some are hasty in professing obedience, but they become
delinquent. Others do not obey at once, and it would seem that
they are disobedient; but a change takes place in their attitude,
and they do what they know to be right. Jesus pointed out to the
Pharisees that their apparent zeal for the law was of no con-
sequence if it did not lead to total commitment. By contrast, the
publicans had apparently broken the law again and again; but
when, like Zacchaeus and Matthew, they repented and followed
Jesus, then their lives represented true obedience.
The true Christian is not marked by what he professes to do
but by what he actually does.
Of what should a Christian be a diligent witness? Luke 8:39.
The story of the Gadarene demoniac is told in three Gospels,
and this indicates its importance. That the people were more
concerned about the loss of the swine than the healing of the
maniac shows how many people are more concerned about
temporal wealth than they are with spiritual healing, and they
are often afraid of supernatural power. The healed man wanted
to follow Jesus, but he was told to witness to what God had done
for him, and in this task he was highly successful. (See Mark
5:20.)
Jesus wants us in our day to witness to what God has done in
and through us. Only in this way can the work be finished and
Jesus come soon.
"God expects personal service from everyone to whom He
has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time. Not all can
go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home mis-
sionaries in their families and neighborhoods."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 30.
"Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in
giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this,
have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their
welcome into the city of
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 450.
These words were written in 1900.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I go about doing more and more effective work for
God?
FURTHER STUDY
Christian Service,
pp. 9-13.
110
How to Be Prepared for the Crisis-2
LESSON 13
❑
Friday.
September 28
Part 6
Describe the great reunion of the saved after the conflict is
A WONDERFUL over.
REUNION
"I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues,
stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with
white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud
voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9, 10).
Here we see the final and glorious outcome of the great
controversy of the ages. Here the prophecy of Isaiah regarding
Christ is fulfilled: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall
be satisfied" (Isa. 53:11). When the Redeemer looks at the in-
numerable multitude of the saved of all time, redeemed by His
blood, He will be completely satisfied, since He would have
come to rescue just one soul.
All the saints of the ages are there. They come from every
kindred and people and tongue. It is a universal harvest. It is the
most blessed and unique reunion of all the victorious children
of God.
They are clothed with white robes, which means that they are
saved by the perfect righteousness of Christ, made available to
anyone by faith. They have palms in their hands, which repre-
sent the fact that they have won the victory over Satan and sin by
"the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony" (Rev.
12:11).
How does John the revelator bring his book to a close? Rev.
22:20.
The revelator replies, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." He
seems to say: "Lord, I am ready. The sooner You come, the
better!" This is the response that every Christian should be
prepared to make.
How does Paul sum up his lifework? 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.
The more active a person has been for Christ, the more he is
ready for Christ's appearing. It is not that he is selfish about the
second coming, but he knows that there are many who "love his
appearing" and to them the day of reward will be one of great
joy. Surely the time must come when sin and sorrow will cease
and Christ will usher in His everlasting kingdom of peace.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can one maintain a balance between being busy for the
Lord now, and looking forward to Christ's coming?
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 593-602.
111
for 4111 Quarter / 1979
Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Les-
sons for the fourth quarter of 1979 will be helped by the following outline in
studying the first two lessons. The title of the series is "Our Wonderful God."
First Lesson
THE ANCIENT OF DAYS. Memory verse, Isa. 45:22.
1. The Eternal God (Ps. 90:1, 2).
2. The Only God (Isa. 44:6-8).
3.
The Universal God (Isa. 14:26, 27).
4. The Living God (Jer. 10:10, 11).
5. The Omnipresent God (Ps. 139:8-10).
6. The Greatness of God (1 Chron. 16:24, 25).
Second Lesson
THE LORD MOST HIGH. Memory Verse, Ps. 91:1, 2.
1. The Supreme Ruler of All (Rev. 5:13).
2. The Creator of All (Col. 1:16, 17).
3. The Infinite God (Ps. 147:5; Rom. 11:33, 34).
4.
The All-powerful God (Eph. 1:19-21).
5.
The Judge of All the Earth (Gen. 18:25).
6.
The Accepted God (Jer. 31:34).
Lessons in 3raille
The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in
Braille and 16
2
/
3
rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons
who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth,
cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian
Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.
112
‘0
15
You are entitled to:
Ito Regular Progress Reports.
•
Expansion Projections
0. New
Investment possibilities
To serve adequately as a branch manager of Gods
business.
Into all the World. Inc.,
YOU
must be informed.
These six
items are designed to give you a
balanced
coverage of your business outreach:
•
The
World Mission Report—Each
Sabbath
I Mission Spotlight—A
monthly
multi-media
presentation taken on location
Pr Global Assignment--Two
tapetassette reports
each quarter in an anchorman news format
P. Church Bulletin Insert—Quarterly
on Thirteenth
Sabbath Special Projects
P. Mission Film—An
annual
13-minute 16mm movie
P. A Letter
to YOU—It's
on page 3
For
free copies, purchases, and/or reservations,
contact
your Conference Sabbath School Department. Also
ask
about the four items prepared for children.
•
into all The Kor
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A Proven way
Su
GUIDE
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INSIGHT
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Classrooms
and library,
Roorkee School
Classrooms
and library. Lowry
Memorial School
Burma
32377,515
Central India 148,695,053
Northern India 386,926,990
Pakistan
75,000,000
South India
92.021,255
Sri Lanka
14,000,000
Bangladesh
81,000,000
7.126 9,776
26.997 37.652
15,522 19,504
2,443 3,922
35,827 37.844
1,291
1,455
2.367 2.742
Girls dormitory.
Administration
Narsapur High
building. Bangladesh
School
Adventist Seminary
Classrooms
and staff housing.
Burma Union Bible
Seminary
Totals
830,020,813
757 91,573 112,895
(Frgums as or Second 0897977 1978)